- $110 million in investments were announced for two AI research partnerships between universities and corporations in the US and Japan.
- Key figures, including US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Moriyama Masahito, unveiled the collaborations.
- Partnerships aim to merge AI research with workforce development and focus on specific research themes like Multimodal Learning and AI for Robots.
- Corporate supporters include NVIDIA, Amazon, Arm, Softbank Group, Microsoft, and nine Japanese companies.
- These collaborations mark the third strategic university-corporate pact between American and Japanese academic institutions since May 2022.
- IBM, Google, and Micron previously invested $210 million in quantum computing and semiconductor engineering initiatives.
Main AI News:
In a momentous event during Prime Minister Kishida Fumio’s official visit to the United States, key figures including US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, and Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Moriyama Masahito, unveiled two groundbreaking AI research ventures. These collaborations, one between the University of Washington and the University of Tsukuba and the other between Carnegie Mellon University and Keio University, were announced on April 9, 2024. The partnerships are fortified by a significant $110 million investment from a consortium including NVIDIA, Amazon, Arm, Softbank Group, Microsoft, and nine Japanese firms.
The ceremonial signing took place at the US Department of Commerce Research Library in Washington, DC, underscoring the significance of this occasion.
Emphasizing the importance of trusted collaboration, Ambassador Emanuel stated, “These partnerships signify more than just technological advancement; they epitomize the fusion of technological prowess with ethical considerations. By leveraging our shared values and unrivaled expertise, these alliances are poised to establish new benchmarks in this dynamic domain.”
Echoing this sentiment, US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo affirmed, “The United States is steadfast in its commitment to spearheading safe and ethical AI development. We welcome collaborative endeavors such as these, which not only further scientific frontiers but also fortify bilateral ties and bolster economic resilience.”
While both initiatives promise interdisciplinary synergies across academic disciplines, they each hone in on distinct focal points. The partnership between the University of Washington and the University of Tsukuba leverages their strategic locations within technology hubs, aiming to merge AI research with workforce empowerment.
Governor Jay Inslee of Washington State remarked, “This collaboration between the University of Washington, University of Tsukuba, Amazon, and NVIDIA underscores the urgency to equip our tech sectors with the requisite research and workforce acumen to navigate the AI-driven paradigm shift.”
On the other hand, the collaboration between Carnegie Mellon University and Keio University sets its sights on various research domains, including Multimodal and Multi-lingual Learning, Embodied AI, Autonomous AI Symbiosis with Humans, Life Sciences, and AI for Scientific Discovery.
Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania highlighted the pivotal role of partnerships in advancing AI innovation responsibly, stating, “This new alliance between Carnegie Mellon University and Keio University is poised to further consolidate Pennsylvania’s and the United States’ leadership in AI technology, fostering workforce empowerment and seizing economic opportunities.”
Corporate backers, including Arm and Softbank Group, NVIDIA, Amazon, and Microsoft, along with a coalition of nine Japanese enterprises, underscore the collaborative ethos driving these endeavors.
These collaborations mark the third strategic university-corporate pact between American and Japanese academic institutions since May 2022, following earlier initiatives in quantum computing and semiconductor engineering. With IBM, Google, and Micron investing a combined $210 million in these initiatives, the stage is set for transformative leaps in AI research and development.
Conclusion:
These $110 million university-corporate AI partnerships between the US and Japan signal a significant stride in advancing AI research and development. With major players like NVIDIA, Amazon, and Microsoft backing these initiatives, the market can expect accelerated innovation in AI technologies. This collaborative effort not only strengthens bilateral ties but also underscores a shared commitment to responsible and ethical AI development, paving the way for transformative impacts across industries.
