Fujitsu Develops AI technology that Matches Children to Daycare Centers

 

The complexity of daycare admissions screening poses many difficulties. There are complex requirements into the admission rules such as some parents prioritize siblings going to the same daycare center while some don’t mind if siblings attend separate daycare centers but pull out if only one child gets a place. Either there are multiple matching patterns satisfying all rules or each matching pattern violating some rules. 

 

Fujitsu’s newly developed matching technology can automatically determine the assignment pattern that fulfills the preferences of as many applicants as possible, according to the priority ranking. It creates a model of the relationships that meet the individual preferences of multiple applicants, in consideration of complex requirements that are determined by human trial and error. 

 

 

Game theory, which is used to create the model in this technology, is a mathematical approach that rationally handles conflicts and cooperation between people in the society where interests are not necessarily aligned. Mathematical research based on the game theory is primarily ongoing in the field of economics.

 

By applying this theory to the matching problem of daycare admissions, this technology successfully finds the optimal assignment pattern that prioritizes applicants having the highest priority, even in cases of multiple patterns that fulfill all rules, or no patterns fulfill all rules.

 

When this technology is commercialized, it is expected that it will not only dramatically reduce the burden of seat assignment tasks on local government personnel but will also enable decision notifications to be sent to applicants earlier, improving services to residents. 

 

This will enable the process to incorporate more detailed requirements without increasing the amount of work or the chance of overlooking something, improving applicant satisfaction.

Founded in 1968 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Limited, Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. is one of the premier research centers in the world. With a global network of laboratories in Japan, China, the United States and Europe, the organization conducts a wide range of basic and applied research in the areas of Next-generation Services, Computer Servers, Networks, Electronic Devices and Advanced Materials.

Since its foundation in 1911, Kyushu University has become one of the leading universities in Japan. The University is comprised of 11 undergraduate schools, 18 graduate schools, 17 faculties, 5 research institutes, a University hospital, and a University library, as well as over 50 affiliated research centers. 

Fujitsu is the leading Japanese information and communication technology (ICT) company offering a full range of technology products, solutions and services. Approximately 155,000 Fujitsu people support customers in more than 100 countries.