According to a report from the Nikkei newspaper on Tuesday, Microsoft Corp is planning to invest approximately $2.9 billion over the next two years to enhance its artificial intelligence (AI) operations in Japan. As per the company president, this move aims to respond to Tokyo’s increasing demand for enhanced computing power for AI. Microsoft intends to expand data center capabilities and integrate advanced AI chips into two existing sites. Additionally, the investment will facilitate collaboration with local partners, particularly in robotics and deep learning sectors. Moreover, Microsoft plans to establish a new AI-focused research laboratory in Tokyo as part of its strategic initiatives in the region.
The Nikkei report quoted Microsoft President Brad Smith as saying the adoption of AI and investments in domestic capability have become critical national priorities for governments around the world. He added that Microsoft will partner with the Japanese government to strengthen cybersecurity resilience.
The investment comes as a growing number of companies, both in the United States and around the globe, are boosting spending on AI technologies. Many companies are investing to better understand the technology, use it to improve their products and services, and enhance cybersecurity.
Other companies are looking at how to deploy AI to help with a range of other functions, from detecting and flagging health issues to improving the efficiency of their operations. AI is also increasingly being used to provide healthcare, with researchers developing software that can spot signs of disease or other problems before human doctors do. One such example is pancreatic cancer, which can be hard to detect because it usually starts small and can go undetected until a person feels pain. AI could be used to help find the earliest symptoms of pancreatic cancer by scanning the body for unusual patterns and flagging any findings.
There are also concerns that the proliferation of AI could lead to job losses, with some experts warning of a possible “single shot of unemployment” if AI takes over a large enough number of tasks. Other concerns include fears that the technology could be used to spread misinformation and infringe copyrights and privacy.
Smith also talked about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on global business. He said that companies are working harder to increase their digital infrastructure and that the pandemic has helped them develop a more long-term view of the world and their business. He also praised the work of employees who have helped the company deal with the crisis and called on other employers to support them. “We need to have the right policies in place to ensure that we are prepared for when the next disaster strikes,” he said.