Kobe: Microsoft Japan Co. opened an artificial intelligence development facility in Kobe on Wednesday, aiming to support other corporations utilizing AI and cloud technologies.

Microsoft AI Co-Innovation Lab at the Kobe Commerce, Industry and Trade Center Building in the western city is the first AI development base in Japan affiliated with U.S. technology giant Microsoft Corp.

Its operations are supported by an organization created by Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. and the Kobe city government.

The purpose of the facility is to provide technologies related to AI and the internet of things, or IoT, to other corporations working on digital transformation, not for the Microsoft group’s own AI development.

Nearly 10 on-site engineers are set to support development work at the laboratory.

In the opening ceremony Wednesday, Miki Tsusaka, president of Microsoft Japan, expressed hope that the laboratory will help many clients to utilize new technologies better.

Japanese science minister Masahito Moriyama, who attended the event, said he is looking forward to seeing innovations that solve social problems and create new values, leading to a better society.

JIJI Press