About Us

1. Background and significance

In recent years, the rapid development of generative AI has significantly expanded the scope of AI applications. In particular, advancements in pre-trained infrastructures leveraging deep learning have facilitated the adoption of AI across a wide range of fields. However, these technological innovations have also given rise to scientific and societal challenges, including data bias, a lack of explainability, spread of misinformation and labor market impacts. In response to these emerging issues, the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) has established the AI Research and Development Promotion Unit to serve as a central body for conducting AI-related research and development, as well as collecting and disseminating relevant information.

2. Purpose and role

The AI Research and Development Promotion Unit aims to accelerate the development and social implementation of AI technologies by leveraging NICT's research assets to the fullest. The Unit’s main roles are as follows:

• Consolidating and disseminating policy-related and scientific/technological information
• Facilitating cooperation with domestic and international institutions
• Promoting cross-sectoral AI research and development
  （including collaboration among research institutes）
• Promoting R&D of specialized AI technologies
  （e.g., Japanese language processing, space and weather data analysis）

3. Organizational structure

The Unit operates under a two-room structure consisting of the General Planning Office and the AI Research and Development Design Initiative. The Unit is also designed to promote collaboration among different fields by assigning a senior researcher from each research institute and a planning manager from the Corporate Planning Department.

4. Focus areas of research and development

By leveraging NICT’s unique data and technological strengths, the unit is focusing its research and development efforts in the following areas:

• Integration of AI with bioscience and neuroscience
  （e.g., bioinformatics, neuroscience）
• Fusion with network technologies
  （e.g., speech translation, multilingual processing, network control）
• Analysis of space and meteorological data
  （promoting AI for Science）
• Development of domain-specific AI
  （addressing data scarcity issues）
• Research on explainable AI
  （utilizing Bayesian inference and sparse coding）

5. Initiatives and Future Outlook

To foster collaboration across different fields and divisions within NICT and to explore new applications of AI, the unit has launched the SAIL (Synergetic AI Linkage Fund) Program. This program supports ambitious and cross-cutting research proposals, with a focus on:

• Promoting interdisciplinary collaboration within NICT
• Strengthening diverse partnerships both in Japan and abroad
• Addressing AI safety and ethical considerations

Looking ahead, the unit aims to deepen its collaboration with AI research institutions worldwide and enhance Japan’s global competitiveness. It will continue to drive the development of technologies based on NICT’s unique resources. AI is now an essential part of society. The AI Research and Development Promotion Unit plays a central role in harnessing NICT’s expertise and capabilities to advance AI technology and realize its integration into society.