Artificial Intelligence Research Center (AIRC)

Building a Common-Ground for Mutual Understanding Between Humans and AI

AI research, which started in the 1950s, has consistently surprised people by demonstrating innovative computer intelligence. It has, however, failed to acquire enough capability to solve the complex problems we face in real society, and has gone through boom and winter periods in its long history. Now that it is once again attracting attention, AI is not a transient boom, but is developing as a "technology to build a better society.
The analysis and processing of vast amounts of data by AI is helping companies promote digital transformation (DX), improve the efficiency of production, distribution, and services, and increase productivity through business expansion and creation. Autonomous driving and mobility services based on AI-technologies will lead to the construction of an environmentally friendly society. Early detection of diseases through diagnostic imaging and the development of new pharmaceuticals using AI are also being promoted. In the field of education, the development of educational materials and programs tailored to the aptitude of each individual is advancing. AI has been incorporated into various aspects of our lives, becoming the foundation that supports comfortable, secure, and safe living.

While AI continues to increase its potential to enrich people's lives, we must not overlook the danger of its misuse as a weapon or for criminal activities. It is crucially important to build a consensus on what AI should and should not do, not only among researchers but through dialogue with society. Current machine learning technology often makes the process of arriving at a solution a black box. Sometimes, AI may exhibit behavior that is not desired by humans. It is necessary to establish an alignment where humans and AI share a common direction. The challenge is for humans and AI to develop a mutual understanding of each other.
The role of the Artificial Intelligence Research Center is to promote large-scale research as one of the largest research centers in Japan that facilitates collaboration between industry, academia, and government, and to provide ongoing support for the social implementation of AI technologies. Together with collaborative partners, the center conducts research aiming to strengthen industrial competitiveness and realize an affluent society.

Aiming to become a global AI center of excellence, we have established strategic partnerships with key research institutions in Japan and abroad, broadening our perspective through AI research networks, discovering new possibilities in AI, and strengthening advanced international collaboration while sharing a vision of the future with AI. Recently, we have been working with major AI research institutes and centers not only in the U.S. and Europe, leading AI countries, but also in Asia, where open-minded research is being promoted, to establish the Asia Research Network Initiative.
AI technology is evolving at a dizzying pace and becoming an indispensable part of our daily lives. The themes to be addressed are "science applications" of AI that include cyber-physical systems and drug discovery in the medical field, "understandable AI" to clarify to humans the basis for AI decision makings, and "building trust" in AI for fruitful collaboration. How should humans and AI cooperate with each other in healthcare, urban development, quality of life improvement, and other situations where there is no clear evaluation scale and judgment must be based on individual human values? We would like to take the initiative in promoting research to establish such value-level alignment.

PageTop