Categories: Technology

Microsoft’s Japan Chief Sees Country Accelerating Its Use of AI

 Japan has been one of the fastest countries to embrace the use of new artificial intelligence tools and has the potential to accelerate its economy and tech sector by going further, according to Microsoft Japan President Miki Tsusaka.

The country’s digitalization push got a boost during the pandemic as businesses adapted to new work-from-home arrangements, and Tsusaka believes Japan has made up lost ground after previously being a laggard.

“The Japanese have caught up. And I think it will continue to accelerate at this point because the technology enables things that we haven’t been able to do,” Tsusaka said in an interview. “We don’t have enough people, our population is aging, and yet generative AI has the power to accelerate growth.”

The Microsoft Corp. executive said she’s particularly interested in helping skill up more women in the local workforce. It’s one of the US company’s four focus areas in Japan, headed by a $2.9 billion investment over the next two years to scale up its AI data centers in the country.

The announcement of that new funding in April lifted the country’s utility and industrial shares on expectations of rising power demand. The country’s surging energy needs have spurred Tokyo’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry to lobby local officials about restarting the country’s — and the world’s — largest nuclear power plant.

Tsusaka identified cybersecurity as another key priority, because “you can’t use AI without security. It’s security, security, security. And then you get to use AI.” Microsoft works closely with the Japanese government — at both national and local level — and businesses to ensure technology is deployed responsibly and safely, she said. Still, she sees AI as an inevitable and revolutionary new part of tech.

“We all were wowed when the internet came,” she said. “Mobile phones now are part of our bodies. But generative AI, I think, is a technology revolution that surpasses all of those.”

–With assistance from Takashi Mochizuki.

One more thing! We are now on WhatsApp Channels! Follow us there so you never miss any updates from the world of technology. ‎To follow the HT Tech channel on WhatsApp, click here to join now!

News Today

Recent Posts

Kareena Kapoor’s Next Untitled Film With Meghna Gulzar Gets Prithviraj Sukumaran On Board

Kareena Kapoor is working with Raazi director Meghna Gulzar for her next film. The project,…

2 weeks ago

Purdue basketball freshman Daniel Jacobsen injured vs Northern Kentucky

2024-11-09 15:00:03 WEST LAFAYETTE -- Daniel Jacobsen's second game in Purdue basketball's starting lineup lasted…

2 weeks ago

Rashida Jones honors dad Quincy Jones with heartfelt tribute: ‘He was love’

2024-11-09 14:50:03 Rashida Jones is remembering her late father, famed music producer Quincy Jones, in…

2 weeks ago

Nosferatu Screening at Apollo Theatre Shows Student Interest in Experimental Cinema – The Oberlin Review

2024-11-09 14:40:03 A silent German expressionist film about vampires accompanied by Radiohead’s music — what…

2 weeks ago

What Are Adaptogens? Find Out How These 3 Herbs May Help You Tackle Stress Head-On

Let's face it - life can be downright stressful! With everything moving at breakneck speed,…

2 weeks ago

The new Mac Mini takes a small step towards upgradeable storage

Apple’s redesigned Mac Mini M4 has ditched the previous M2 machine’s SSD that was soldered…

2 weeks ago