The Japanese government will provide roughly 1 trillion yen (US$6.34 billion) in support over five years to help a planned new company develop home-grown artificial intelligence, a source close to the matter said on Sunday.
The company will be established by around 10 firms including SoftBank Group Corp, aiming to develop the country’s largest base AI model through public-private cooperation, the source said.
The five-year support scheme is set to begin in fiscal 2026, which starts next April, according to the source.
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Japan’s move to develop its own AI comes as it hopes to compete with China and the United States, leading players in the field of this technology that can directly impact national security.
According to the source, around 100 engineers from SoftBank and artificial intelligence start-up Preferred Networks Inc. will join the new company.
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Faced with global competition over the procurement of semiconductors, it is hoped that the new company, with help from the government, can secure necessary supplies, according to the source.