TOKYO: Softbank Corp. and the University of Tokyo said Friday that they will jointly research artificial intelligence, planning to create a specialized institute next spring.

The Japanese mobile phone carrier plans to spend 20 billion yen over 10 years to promote studies on AI use in advanced medical care and autonomous driving.

The company aims to better compete with technology giants in the United States and China through collaboration with the Japanese university.

The project includes fundamental research by the University of Tokyo and leading universities abroad as well as applied research using the results of the fundamental research.

A fundamental research facility will be formed at the University of Tokyo in the spring of 2020 and another facility for applied research will be set up at Softbank's new headquarters in Tokyo in winter next year.

Masayoshi Son, chairman and chief executive officer of Softbank Group Corp., the parent of Softbank Corp., said that the group aims to work with the University of Tokyo to provide AI researchers with an opportunity.

JIJI Press