Japan's AI Technology Ranks 11th Globally: Significant Gaps with the US and China and Educational Challenges
Currently, the development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology is progressing at a rapid pace worldwide. While Japan is also focusing its efforts on this field, a recent report revealed that the level of Japan's AI technology ranks 11th in the world. Although this ranking is by no means low, a sense of crisis is growing among experts.
Leading the world are the United States in first place and China in second. Compared to these two countries, Japan lags significantly behind in terms of technical capabilities and the scale of investment. In the U.S. and China, giant IT companies are at the center of AI research, utilizing data from around the globe to continuously create new services.
Issues within "higher education," such as universities, have been pointed out as a fundamental cause for Japan falling behind in the field of AI. In Japanese universities, there is a shortage of faculty members who specialize in teaching AI, as well as students learning cutting-edge technologies. Furthermore, the fact that educational content is disconnected from actual business and research environments is said to be a fatal flaw.
In the future, AI will become an indispensable technology in all industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and the service sector. Therefore, if Japan fails to cultivate human resources proficient in AI, there is a risk that its economic power will decline in the future. For Japan to compete globally once again, it is necessary to fundamentally overhaul its educational system.
Currently, the Japanese government and some universities have begun new initiatives to strengthen AI education. However, to catch up with the U.S. and China, reforms with a greater sense of speed are required. How to create an environment where the younger generation can master AI and create new value is a major challenge for Japan moving forward.