The US government, in collaboration with Japan, has taken significant strides in embracing artificial intelligence (AI) by signing an agreement aimed at advancing research in the field. With a joint investment of $110 million, the partnership involves leading companies like Nvidia, Microsoft, Amazon, Arm, and SoftBank, among others, alongside nine Japanese counterparts. This funding will support initiatives spanning various areas of AI research, including the development of large language models and the cultivation of AI talent.
US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo highlighted the accord as a testament to the commitment of both President Biden and Prime Minister Kishida to bolster science and technology cooperation between their nations. The partnership signifies a broader strategy by the Biden administration to forge alliances with allied countries to harness the potential of AI.
Furthermore, the US government has been proactive in regulating AI usage domestically, mandating that all government agencies devise safeguard plans for AI implementation by December 2024. Failure to comply will result in a ban on AI utilization within these agencies. The collaboration between academic institutions such as the University of Washington, University of Tsukuba, Carnegie Mellon University, and Keio University underscores the shared goal of enhancing AI capabilities. Each partnership focuses on specific research areas tailored to leverage the expertise of the respective institutions.
For instance, the University of Washington and University of Tsukuba aim to advance AI research and workforce development, leveraging their strategic locations in Seattle and Tsukuba, respectively. Meanwhile, Carnegie Mellon University and Keio University will concentrate on multimodal and multi-lingual machine learning, exploring applications in robotics and the potential for symbiotic interactions between humans and autonomous AI systems. In essence, this collaborative effort between the US and Japan marks a significant step forward in advancing AI research, fostering talent development, and strengthening bilateral ties in science and technology.
