Dr. Masayuki Hisada

Dr. Masayuki Hisada is a computer scientist, entrepreneur, and Visiting Professor at the University of Aizu. He holds a Doctor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of Aizu, awarded in 2002 as the institution’s first doctoral graduate. With a career spanning over two decades, he has contributed extensively to cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and blockchain technologies across both academic and industrial domains.

Dr. Hisada began his career in applied cybersecurity research and later served as a faculty member at the Kanazawa Institute of Technology. In 2007, he founded Aizu Laboratory Inc., a startup that developed an automated web application vulnerability assessment platform. The company was successfully acquired by a Tokyo Stock Exchange–listed firm in 2014. In 2019, he launched his second venture focused on decentralized infrastructure and AI-driven trust systems. He now operates independently through MH2.io, offering R&D and technology consulting services.

A Senior Member of IEEE, Dr. Hisada has delivered numerous lectures and invited talks in both academic and business settings. His recent work centers on blockchain-based media authentication, federated learning systems, and AI-enabled education. He also holds several patents in the field of computer science, developed in collaboration with the University of Aizu.

As a Visiting Professor, Dr. Hisada continues to mentor students, contribute to scholarly communities, and advocate for responsible technology innovation. He is passionate about fostering international dialogue and empowering the next generation of engineers and innovators.

Contact: masa@hisada.info

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hisada

X: @hisada

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hisada/

Abstracts

Startup Thinking for Engineers and Researchers

Subtitle: Lessons from Building AI and Security Ventures in Japan

In the evolving landscape of technology and innovation, engineers and researchers are increasingly stepping into entrepreneurial roles. This talk shares lessons from two decades of hands-on experience in founding, growing, and exiting deep-tech startups in Japan—companies that specialized in AI, cybersecurity, and blockchain. Drawing on both successes and setbacks, including the experience of leading a company through acquisition and later navigating the collapse of a second venture during the COVID-19 pandemic, the session offers candid insights into the intersection of engineering and entrepreneurship.

Participants will gain a practical perspective on opportunity recognition, product development from R&D, and the challenges of managing technical credibility and business growth. The session is designed to inspire early-career professionals, graduate students, and technical leaders seeking to build impact beyond the lab—whether by founding a company, joining a startup, or launching internal innovation projects.

AI and Blockchain Integration for Resilient Systems

Subtitle: Towards Trustworthy and Autonomous Infrastructure

This talk explores the convergence of artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies to design resilient, autonomous, and trustworthy systems. By combining the predictive and adaptive power of AI with the immutability and decentralized trust of blockchain, we can address key challenges in domains such as energy management and infrastructure reliability.

The presentation introduces architectural models for hybrid systems, including the use of federated learning to preserve privacy while enabling distributed AI training. Blockchain is used to anchor model integrity, record metadata, and provide tamper-evident traceability throughout the system lifecycle. Real-world examples and prototypes will demonstrate how this synergy enhances system transparency and robustness.

This session is intended for researchers, engineers, and practitioners seeking to build next-generation platforms where AI-driven intelligence is backed by verifiable, decentralized infrastructure.

Innovating from the Edge: Building Technology and Talent in a Historic City

Subtitle: Realizing the Vision of “A Silicon Valley in Aizu”

This talk reflects on two decades of experience building AI and blockchain ventures not in a global tech hub, but in Aizu—a historically rich city in Japan known as the “Samurai City.” Inspired by the founding vision of my mentor, Dr. Toshiyasu L. Kunii, IEEE Fellow and first president of the University of Aizu, to create a “Silicon Valley in Aizu,” my journey has focused on cultivating technology, talent, and society together.

In an environment with limited access to ready-made talent, we developed systems locally and trained vocational and university students from the ground up. These efforts led to products and platforms that began in a regional context and evolved into models adaptable to other cities.

This session explores how long-term investment in people and place can produce globally meaningful outcomes—offering a case study in how regional innovation, guided by a commitment to advance knowledge for humanity, can help shape sustainable digital ecosystems from the edge.