Takehito Matsuba, ex-Google and Mitsubishi Corporation executive, joins Citadel AI as COO

Citadel AI Inc., a startup that provides automated AI testing and monitoring tools (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Hironori Kobayashi; hereinafter “Citadel AI”) announces that Takehito Matsuba has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer (COO) to accelerate global business expansion.

Background of Takehito’s appointment

Citadel AI develops technology to visualize and quantify the reliability risks of AI systems, and aims for AI to be used safely and responsibly. The reliability and safety of AI has recently attracted attention as a theme in the G7 Digital and Technology Ministers Meeting, held in Japan in April 2023, and due the rapid growth of the interactive AI system ChatGPT.

On April 11th, Citadel AI announced a partnership with BSI (British Standards Institution), which promotes global standards development and business improvement. As AI is being utilized in potentially high-risk domains, Citadel AI aims to make the world’s AI systems more reliable, and enable such technologies to follow best practices and comply with laws and standards such as the upcoming EU AI Act.

Citadel AI announces that Takehito Matsuba has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead the company, alongside the CEO, Hironori Kobayashi, and CTO, Kenny Song, to further expand its business globally.

Takehito has extensive experience in the healthcare and related regulatory compliance fields, through his tenure at Mitsubishi Corporation and Google, and has a deep understanding of the areas that Citadel AI focuses on. At Mitsubishi Corporation, Takehito was mainly involved in business investments, M&A, and new business development in the healthcare industry, and served as Director of North American Healthcare Business in Silicon Valley. Later, Takehito obtained an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management, and led the launch of Google Health’s Japan business and the first joint research project on AI-assisted breast cancer screening with a leading cancer hospital in Japan. He is a seasoned professional in global management across large-scale global companies, and has led the growth of various businesses and organizations.

At Citadel AI, Takehito will oversee the entire business with the co-founders and accelerate the company’s global expansion to pursue its mission.

Comment from Takehito Matsuba

I am honored to join Citadel AI as COO, which has the mission to improve the reliability and safety of AI worldwide. I have extensive experience in various areas such as business strategy planning, global market development, and team management. Going forward, I will leverage my expertise to contribute to the realization of Citadel AI’s mission.

Citadel AI is a startup from Japan, and I believe it has a high potential to embody the true meaning of “Go Global,” as evidenced by its support from world-class customers such as BSI. We aim to achieve a society where people can live more conveniently and safely through the provision of products that improve the reliability and safety of AI to potential customers worldwide.

Makehito Matsuba

About Citadel AI

Citadel AI provides automated testing and monitoring products for AI applications, to help organizations minimize AI reliability risks, and maximize AI performance from research to deployment.

Citadel AI’s team is led by engineers with first-hand experience developing, validating, and deploying high-risk AI systems at companies such as Google Brain, Waymo, and Toyota. For a demo of our products, please contact us at info@citadel.co.jp.

About Citadel AI