Whenever there’s a problem, there are people who can come up with a solution. A Sony affiliate operates a nursing home. Residents here enjoy playing video games. The game they were playing was a simple one: catching gnomes and placing them on mushrooms. Residents control an in-game “hand” that moves with their own hand to catch gnomes falling from the top of the screen. This game is part of occupational therapy, which aims to maintain and improve physical and cognitive function. An occupational therapist working at the facility explained that playing the gnome game improves spatial awareness and attention. He also noted that participants’ response speeds tend to improve after playing the game. A 90-year-old woman playing the game said with a smile, “Playing games warms me up and is good exercise.”
This game is a rehabilitation game for nursing homes developed through a collaboration between the gaming and financial businesses. The Sony Group has launched a system to match internal talent with the aim of creating new businesses. It seems the secret to boosting team productivity and a sense of security lies in the know-how behind talent matching. The “Pollinator Network” was the driving force behind this game’s development. Sony appointed 60 talent matchmakers, nicknamed “Pollinators.” Like bees, these matchmakers connect talent across the organization, likening them to honeybees that help pollinate flowers. In one example involving a nursing home, the system connected PlayStation staff and produced positive results. The system began operations in September 2024, and by August 2025, approximately 300 matching cases had been achieved in the one year since.
Sony has a large research budget and a large workforce. Within the Sony Group, there are many “technical talent” who even employees are not familiar with. This company has a treasure trove of talent, with approximately 112,300 consolidated employees and 1,582 group subsidiaries as of September 2025. Like bees, pollinators traverse the organization, connecting idea creators with specialized talent. Even if the skills and background meet the requirements, personality and cultural compatibility can be an obstacle. A department capable of assessing these issues was needed. AI alone has difficulty determining compatibility between employees. Building optimal teams often involves language, cultural, and other barriers. Smooth matching and ensuring team psychological safety and productivity improvements require AI analysis and human skills. Sony appears to be achieving results by entrusting the final decision on talent matching to Pollinators.
