From Hype to ROI: How Japanese Companies Are Actually Using AI | Tiby Kuruvila (CTO, POS+)

AMA Podcast (S-02, E-19) with Tiby Kuruvila, technologist/entrepreneur and CTO of POS+ (Postas) Learn how a cloud-based, software-as-a-service (SaaS) point-of-sale platform is introducing AI to Japanese SMEs in the restaurant, retail, beauty, and healthcare industries. The digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is critical to Japan’s ability to reshape its economy. However, a key question is whether Japanese SMEs are ready. As labor shortages intensify and artificial intelligence transitions from hype to practical implementation, how are companies modernizing the systems that power everyday commerce? To help answer these questions, we’re joined by a resident expert. Who is he? Real Gaijin was joined by Tiby Kuruvila, the Chief Technology Officer of POS+ (Postas). POS+ is one of Japan’s leading cloud-based point-of-sale platforms, serving the restaurant, retail, beauty, and healthcare sectors. With more than 25 years of experience in enterprise software, AI, cloud architecture, and entrepreneurship in Japan and India, Tiby has started companies, mentored startups, and helped thousands of businesses embrace digital transformation. On the agenda We discussed AI adoption, Japan’s unique technology landscape, and how to build successful products and teams across two distinct business cultures. Some of the key takeaways are as follows: ● AI is transforming point-of-sale systems from mere record keepers into intelligent business advisors. ● Japan’s greatest obstacle to digital transformation is not technology—it is trust. ● Labor shortages are making digital transformation a business necessity rather than a luxury. ● The future belongs to organizations that combine human judgment with AI execution. ● Success in Japan requires localization, patience, and solving uniquely Japanese problems. Links POS+: https://www.postas.co.jp/ LinkedIn:   / tibyk   Please subscribe and click on 🔔, 👍 and share. ▬▬▬ CHAPTERS ▬▬▬ 00:00 Lead-in clip about the old adage "Garbage in, garbage out" 01:01 Introductions and housekeeping 02:45 Tiby's path from India to Japan dating back to 1999 (before Y2K) 06:08 Position as CTO at POS+ (Postas) and evolution of point-of-sales technology 09:35 Level of adoption of POS and AI by Japanese SMEs 12:04 JAN codes not used by restaurant industry, in general 12:56 What about restaurants that still record orders on paper by hand? 14:36 What does POS+ (Postas) do to help clients convert data into business intelligence with the aid of AI? 17:11 How do sales people from POS+ (Postas) approach a new prospective restaurant that has yet to adopt any POS technology? 19:44 How does POS+ (Postas) help solve some of the challenges facing the restaurant industry (e.g., labor shortages) 22:07 What kinds of information are collected via POS data? 23:04 Payment providers (e.g., credit card companies) already have the data 24:22 What is holding back many of Japan's 3.5 million SMEs from adopting new technology? 28:18 Do you foresee a lot of consolidation in the Japanese restaurant industry? 29:06 Ability to leverage connections back in India and the particular advantages of both cultures 31:21 Techniques for recruiting product champions from the front-line (nemawashi) to obtain repeat customers and/or provide personalized service 36:03 Implementation of point systems for building customer loyalty 38:18 What's the next wave of new technology? AI agents, physical AI, etc. 41:09 Leveraging AI to take care of mundane tasks like filling in data collection forms 43:36 Advice for up-and-coming foreign entrepreneurs who are interested to work in Japan 45:57 Advice to a "young Tiby" coming to Japan for the first time 26 years ago 47:52 Opportunities in physical AI 49:55 Is AI going to take away my job? 51:27 Future plans? 51:56 Final words and a big thank you to Tiby! Lets connect... ▪️Website (Substack): https://realgaijin.substack.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ▪️ Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/realgaijin.b... ▪️ Instagram:   / real_gaijin_on_substack   ▪️ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@real_gaijin_... ▪️ Tiktok:   / real.gaijin   ▪️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/Real_Gaijin_ ▪️ YouTube: / @realgaijin ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ▪️  / mark-wilt-kennedy   Copyright ⓒ 2026 Real Gaijin, All Rights Reserved.