Google and Tokyo University to Tackle Regional Issues with AI

Jun 20, 2024 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Google has announced a new initiative to address the challenges faced by all 47 prefectures in Japan through artificial intelligence, in collaboration with the University of Tokyo.

The project aims to develop generative AI models to support solutions for issues unique to each prefecture. This collaboration is led by Professor Yutaka Matsuo's research team at the University of Tokyo, with the goal of completion by 2027.

Google's efforts will focus on using generative AI to tackle problems associated with an aging society and a declining labor force. Additionally, the project seeks to foster the development of AI talent in Japan.

Already, Google has started working with Osaka Prefecture on an AI system to reduce mismatches between job seekers and companies.

Furthermore, Google is integrating its proprietary generative AI into various services and products. This includes a new search function tailored to the many Japanese users who post on social media using hashtags, and a weather forecasting feature that predicts detailed precipitation levels every five minutes.

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