Japan to spend $1bn developing national AI tech
The Japanese government is to spend 100bn yen ($974m) over the next 10 years to set up one of the country's biggest research centres with a laboratory in the government-backed Riken research institute in Tokyo. Involving 100 top researchers from major corporations such as Toyota and NEC, the centre will develop artificial intelligence, regarded as a pillar of the government's growth strategy, especially deep learning.

TOKYO -- Japan is about to launch a gigantic industry-government-academia project to develop artificial intelligence technology matching the nation's specific needs.

The project will include one of the country's biggest research centers, set up in the government-backed Riken research institute, and has a budget of 100 billion yen (around $974 million) over the next 10 years. Some 100 top researchers from participating companies, such as Toyota Motor and NEC, and research institutes will begin studies soon at a laboratory to be opened by the Riken Center for Advanced Integrated Intelligence Research in a high-rise building near Tokyo Station.