Japan puts self-driving transit buses to the test next year
Japan will start field trials for self-driving buses next year, as the government aims to ease the shortage of drivers in the public transportation system.
Artificial Intelligence
AI
SoftBank, Toyota and Denso invest $1 billion to pump up Uber's self-driving unit ahead of IPO
Uber’s autonomous-vehicle unit has raised $1 billion (¥112 billion) from a consortium of investors including SoftBank Group Corp., giving the company a much-needed funding boost for its pricey self-driving ambitions ahead of its public stock offering.
'Shooting for big game': Softbank's push for transport dominance
SoftBank Group Corp. leader Masayoshi Son has much bigger ambitions for transportation than simply seeing his investment in Uber Technologies Inc. turn into more than $13 billion when the company goes public next month.
Govt to revise law for strategic special zones
The government plans to submit to the current Diet session a bill to revise the National Strategic Special Zones Law with the aim of implementing its Super City Initiative, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned. The initiative introduces new special zones for utilizing artificial intelligence and big data.
METI aims to secure AI experts for self-driving tech
The Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry has for the first time compiled a strategy to foster professionals in artificial intelligence — key technologies for self-driving.
Japanese medical school adopts facial recognition-based attendance system
The Hyogo College of Medicine has introduced a facial recognition technology-based system to check student attendance.
SoftBank buys stake in hyper-accurate US weather service
SoftBank Group has invested $7 million in ClimaCell, a U.S. weather startup that uses cellular signals in making detailed weather forecasting.
SoftBank's Son funds young geniuses to avert AI domination
Masayoshi Son seemed to be joking, but it was difficult to be sure. "Our fund will invest at least 10 billion yen, or an average of 100 billion yen," the SoftBank Group founder and CEO said at a networking event for young entrepreneurs and gifted students, held in Tokyo the day after Christmas.
Japan aims to produce 250,000 AI experts a year
Japan will seek to increase the development of talent proficient in artificial intelligence to 250,000 people a year, up from just a few thousand today, according to a government plan laid out Friday.
Education on AI proposed for all university and technical college students in Japan
A panel of experts has called for all university and technical college students in Japan to be given beginner-level education on artificial intelligence.