TL;DR:
- NTT unveils a cutting-edge Large Language Model (LLM), Tsuzumi, set for release in March, targeting Japanese language learning for various industries.
- Specialization in sectors like healthcare aims to reduce operational costs and enhance efficiency.
- NTT intends to compete with major U.S. tech giants in the AI market.
- Tsuzumi offers cost-effectiveness with two variants, one with 600 million and another with 7 billion parameters, addressing power consumption concerns.
- Tailoring Tsuzumi to specific industries optimizes power usage and equipment requirements.
- Trial operations have commenced at Kyoto University Hospital and Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., with multilingual capabilities planned.
- NTT targets annual sales exceeding 100 billion yen ($665 million) by fiscal year 2027.
- Competitors like SoftBank Corp. and NEC Corp. are also investing in generative AI services.
Main AI News:
Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp. (NTT) has announced its forthcoming release of a formidable Large Language Model (LLM) set to hit the market in March. This groundbreaking development aims to serve as the cornerstone for facilitating AI-driven Japanese language learning, catering to a wide array of industries. NTT President Akira Shimada articulated their vision during a recent press conference on November 1st, stating, “We would like to position this LLM as a solution for social issues.”
With a deliberate focus on specific sectors like healthcare, NTT’s innovative approach is poised to drive down the expenses associated with the model’s learning and operational phases. This strategic specialization not only enhances the efficiency of the model but also optimizes resource allocation, marking a significant stride in the realm of AI-powered language processing.
NTT’s ambition extends beyond the local market, as it sets its sights on challenging the supremacy of leading U.S. information technology giants with its groundbreaking offering. Leveraging its extensive experience in natural language processing, which imparts linguistic capabilities to machines, NTT has independently crafted the LLM, aptly named “tsuzumi.”
One of the distinguishing features of tsuzumi is its exceptional cost-effectiveness. In contrast to Chat GPT-3, developed by the U.S. startup Open AI, boasting a staggering 175 billion parameters, tsuzumi comes in two variants: one equipped with 600 million parameters and another with 7 billion parameters. While a greater number of parameters empowers the model to tackle more intricate tasks, it concurrently poses the challenge of escalated power consumption during the learning phase.
To address this issue, NTT has embarked on a strategic path of tailoring tsuzumi to meet the specific needs of distinct industries, thereby mitigating power consumption and optimizing the requisite equipment for seamless operation. This adaptive approach ensures that tsuzumi is not only a powerful AI model but also a sustainable and eco-friendly solution.
The model’s capabilities have already undergone rigorous testing, with trial operations commencing in October at prestigious institutions such as Kyoto University Hospital and Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., known for its call center operations. Tsuzumi is currently available in both Japanese and English, with plans to expand its language repertoire to accommodate a wider global audience.
NTT’s bold endeavor is underpinned by the aspiration to achieve annual sales exceeding 100 billion yen ($665 million) by fiscal year 2027. This ambitious target underscores their commitment to pioneering advancements in AI language models and their pivotal role in addressing societal challenges.
NTT’s foray into the LLM market is not without competition. Japanese conglomerate SoftBank Corp. has outlined plans to develop an LLM with an astounding 350 billion parameters, specializing in the Japanese language, by the close of 2024. Meanwhile, NEC Corp. has already made strides in offering tailored generative AI services to individual companies, further intensifying the burgeoning market of AI-powered language solutions. As these industry titans vie for supremacy, the future of AI-driven language learning and processing appears poised for remarkable innovation and transformation.
Conclusion:
NTT’s Tsuzumi LLM represents a pivotal shift in the AI language model landscape, offering specialization, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. As NTT competes with global tech giants and rivals like SoftBank and NEC make their own strides, the market for AI-powered language solutions is poised for significant innovation and growth, with potential far-reaching implications for various industries.
