University of Tokyo and Sony Join Hands in AI and VR Studies
A charming development is on the horizon for rearing a fresh generation of researchers to advance technology in the areas of AI and VR. The University of Tokyo and Sony announced on March 13 a joint program to promote the study of human augmentation for furthering technologies for developing wearable terminals, drones, robots, etc. to augment human senses, recognition, and physical capabilities.
Sony is about to open in May a course at the University of Tokyo titled Human Augmentation to run until March 2020 to rear human resources specializing in AI and related technologies.
Human augmentation is a concept initiated by Prof. Jun Rekimoto of the University of Tokyo - a new area of study in focus. So far, studies are fast in progress in developing skills to employ wearable terminals for sharing experiences of other individuals and to assist training from the point of view of drones.
Prof. Jun Rekimoto has been working for Sony's Computer Science Laboratory (CSL) since 1994 and organized and directed the Interaction Laboratory within the labo. He is Deputy Director of Sony CSL.
Artificial intelligence and virtual reality are both focal points of interest in all walks of life. The joint research between the University of Tokyo and Sony promises to be one great step forward to help motivate Japan's initiative in leading the world in this particular field.
Sony is opening a new course effective this spring for the research of machine learning and artificial intelligence to draw fresh recruits specializing in artificial intelligence. The course is left open for any number of applicants.
Meanwhile, the University of Tokyo is scheduled to open a lecture donated by nine corporates including Toyota Motor Corp., Dwango, etc. to teach 1.5 million per year of students the cutting-edge technologies and skills in artificial intelligence. (Nathan Shiga)