“Digital Natives” and the Shogi World Through the Lens of Sōta Fujii – At the Intersection of Tomorrow’s Mindsets and Digital Mastery
The term “digital native” is often used broadly to describe individuals who consider digital technologies as natural and integral to their everyday lives. Typically, it refers to those born in the 1990s and 2000s, who grew up surrounded by digital devices. As this cohort began to emerge actively in society, digital transformation—at both organizational and societal levels—has surged forward.
As of June 2023, when this article was written, the meaning of “digital native” is continuing to evolve and expand. In this piece, we explore how the image of a “digital native” has transformed with technological advances, and what it might look like in the future.
Understanding “Native”
Before diving into the term “digital native,” let’s clarify what “native” itself implies:
- “Native” means innate or naturally acquired in English. It’s used in contexts like “native language” or “native speaker.”
- Language acquisition differs significantly between childhood and adulthood. Most people exposed to a language from a young age become fluent—even in subtle nuances—while learning later in life generally demands more effort and rarely achieves native-level intuition.
- This illustrates that the human brain has a “golden period” for learning, during which acquiring certain skills—including sensory finesse—is far easier.
Traditional Notion of Digital Native
In the 1990s and early 2000s, home PCs and the internet became common. Technology evolved to enable non‑technical users to handle digital data, and email and text‑based communication became routine.
From the late 2000s onward, the rise of video platforms, multimedia-capable social networks, and smartphones with built-in digital cameras led to explosive growth in digital communication.
Generations educated during that era became adept at using PCs and smartphones effortlessly, and quickly adopted new digital tools and services. As a result, they often demonstrate high proficiency in leveraging digital technologies to work more efficiently and effectively.
Digital Natives in the Age of AI
Historically, digital technologies have enhanced human behavior in terms of efficiency—recording, storing, transmitting information. But today, they are increasingly used to elevate human decision-making power. AI and advanced data analytics now provide insights in areas that are hard to articulate algorithmically—intuition-like judgments that humans struggle to define.
- Machines outperform humans in pure computation and speed, making digitization of data aggregation and analysis a given.
- Yet newer AI systems offer surprising insights, especially in complex, ambiguous scenarios—often where human intuition is hard to formalize.
In this era, digital natives may be characterized not just by their comfort with technology, but by their ability to embrace information generated by AI and data analysis as part of their decision-making process.
Although the human brain has limits in processing information, individuals who understand both human and AI strengths and weaknesses can leverage them to make more informed, strategic judgments.
A Case in Point: Shogi and the Evolution of Digital Technology
Shogi, the Japanese chess-like game, serves as a clear illustration of how human judgment and digital technology can intersect—and the evolving role of digital natives in mastering that integration.
Early Stage: Efficiency through Digitization
From the Edo period onward, shogi professionals studied under structured systems. But in the 1990s, a turning point came with youthful pros like Yoshiharu Habu, who revolutionized the field by leveraging computers for deep, data-driven preparation.
Previously, record-keeping of games (kifu) relied entirely on paper, making research inefficient. By digitizing kifu and managing them via floppy disks and other media, younger players gained a systemic advantage. These players, dubbed “PC shogi” by some veterans, showcased the power of digital tools.
Here, digital technology supported human efficiency by enhancing preparation and research.
The AI Epoch: Beyond Human Supremacy
By the mid-2000s, strong shogi AI had emerged. By the early 2010s, AI began performing competitively even against top professionals. The 2013 “Denō-sen” saw a professional team face AI in a formal match series—result: 1 win, 1 draw, 3 losses for the human team.
This milestone reaffirmed AI’s strengths but also revealed human advantages in certain areas. By 2017, a match between Meijin Taku Sato (a reigning top pro) and AI marked a symbolic moment—solidifying AI dominance on the public stage.
Since then, pros have used AI not just as competition, but as a sparring partner—referencing AI suggestions to expand their strategic thinking beyond conventional wisdom.
Sōta Fujii: A Prototypical Modern “Digital Native”
Ranked the youngest professional shogi grandmaster in history, Sōta Fujii (born 2002) is widely known for integrating AI into his daily study routine. While many professionals now work with AI, Fujii is uniquely positioned: his formative years overlapped with powerful AI tools already existing, enabling him to absorb AI-generated insights as intuitive judgment.
Rather than memorizing AI-recommended moves, Fujii appears to internalize them—thus empowering his ability to make accurate decisions in novel situations with the same strategic finesse.
Resistance to Rapid Tech Change
Even in shogi—a domain where outcomes are clear and meritocratic—adoption of new tech has not been frictionless. Similar psychological dynamics emerge in business with AI adoption:
Others reach a pragmatic acceptance: once a technology proves superior, collaboration—not competition—becomes the norm.
Experts may feel threatened, believing computers cannot match their in-depth knowledge.
Some fear that AI may render human expertise obsolete, making objective evaluation of technology difficult.
Redefining “Digital Native” for Today and Tomorrow
Modern digital technologies are not merely tools for efficiency—they increasingly inform complex decisions. As such, new digital natives:
- Understand AI is fallible but useful.
- Leverage digital tools flexibly to augment human judgment.
- Remain adaptable and continuously restructure mental frameworks as technology evolves.
The future digital native is not defined by early exposure to digital devices alone, but by the mindset of embracing—and co-evolving with—rapid technological advancement.
