Japan to support domestic AI development with $6.34B (english.kyodonews.net)

The Japanese government has announced a substantial investment of approximately 1 trillion yen ($6.34 billion) over the next five years to foster the development of domestic artificial intelligence. This initiative aims to establish a new company, formed by around ten private firms including SoftBank Group Corp., focused on creating Japan's largest base AI model through a collaboration between public and private sectors. The project is set to commence in fiscal 2026, beginning next April, in a bid to enhance Japan's competitive stance against leading nations in AI, particularly the United States and China, amidst concerns regarding national security. This strategic move comes as Japan seeks to accelerate its lagging AI adoption and innovation, especially as global competition intensifies for semiconductor supplies essential to AI technology. The plan will involve approximately 100 engineers from SoftBank and the AI startup Preferred Networks Inc., and aims to establish a robust infrastructure including data centers. Additionally, the initiative emphasizes the development of "physical AI," which integrates AI with robotics, highlighting Japan's aspiration to reclaim its leadership in this crucial sector. This initiative signifies a proactive step towards bolstering Japan's technological sovereignty and addressing its digital deficits.