The United States and Japan have revealed a series of new initiatives in AI, quantum computing, semiconductors and other critical technologies.
The ambitious plans were announced this week by President Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio following Kishida’s official visit to the White House.
As leaders affirmed their commitments across a broad range of areas, including defense, climate, development, and humanitarian efforts, new technology collaborations took center stage and underscore how the U.S.-Japan alliance is evolving into a comprehensive global partnership underpinned by innovation.
AI takes center stage
One of the flagship initiatives is a $110 million partnership between the University of Washington, the University of Tsukuba, Carnegie Mellon University, and Keio University. Backed by tech giants like NVIDIA, Arm, Amazon, and Microsoft, as well as Japanese companies, the program aims to solidify U.S.-Japan leadership in cutting-edge AI research and development.
The United States and Japan also committed to supporting each other in establishing national AI safety institutes and promised future collaboration on interoperable AI safety standards, assessments, and risk management frameworks.
To mitigate AI risks, countries committed to ensuring transparency on AI-generated and manipulated content on official government channels. Technical research and standardization efforts were promised to identify and authenticate synthetic media.
Quantum leaps
Quantum technology is looming large, with the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) partnering with Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) to build robust quantum supply chains.
A trilateral cooperation between the University of Chicago, the University of Tokyo and Seoul National University was also announced to train a quantum workforce and enhance competitiveness.
The United States and Japan also welcomed new trade agreements, including one with Quantinuum, which will provide Japan’s RIKEN Institute with $50 million in quantum computing services over five years.
Several semiconductor initiatives were unveiled, including potential cooperation between Japan’s Advanced Semiconductor Technology Center (LSTC) and the U.S. National Semiconductor Technology Center and the National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program. The two countries committed to exploring joint semiconductor workforce development initiatives through technical workshops.
Other announced trade deals span cloud computing, telecommunications, batteries, robotics, biotechnology, finance, transportation and beyond, underscoring how the alliance merges public and private efforts.
Developing the human being
Initiatives around STEM educational exchanges, technology curricula, entrepreneurship programs, and talent circulation efforts have focused on developing human capital to fuel the next wave of digital innovation.
While technological advances are attracting attention, the proliferation of initiatives to train, exchange, and nurture innovators, researchers, and professionals in these fields could prove equally vital. The United States and Japan appear committed to strategically developing and leveraging human resources, in tandem with their efforts to build cutting-edge capabilities in AI, quantum, chips, and other advanced technologies.
Both nations clearly recognize that building complementary ecosystems around vital technologies is essential to strengthening competitiveness, economic prosperity and national security in an era of intensifying strategic competition.
(Photo by Tong Su)
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