SoftBank, NEC, Honda, Sony Group, and MetaEra have formed a new company to develop AI foundation models for Japanese businesses. The firm, named Japan AI Foundation Model Development, will be led by a SoftBank executive. Major banks and industrial firms are supporting the project, with SoftBank and NEC handling development. Honda will apply the models to autonomous driving. The company plans to seek up to 1 trillion yen in funding from the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization starting in fiscal 2026. New token listings could follow as the project progresses.

According to ME News, on April 13 (UTC+8), SoftBank, NEC, Honda, and Sony Group established a new company named “Japan AI Foundation Model Development” to create domestic AI foundation models for Japanese enterprises. The company’s president will be appointed by a SoftBank executive, with Nippon Steel, Kobe Steel, Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Bank, and Mizuho Bank participating as investors. SoftBank and NEC will lead the development efforts, while Honda plans to apply the results to autonomous driving; Preferred Networks is also involved. The company will soon apply for a public call from the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), and if selected, it is expected to receive support of approximately 1 trillion yen over five years starting in fiscal year 2026. (Source: ODAILY)Source:Show originalDisclaimer: The information on this page may have been obtained from third parties and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of KuCoin. This content is provided for general informational purposes only, without any representation or warranty of any kind, nor shall it be construed as financial or investment advice. KuCoin shall not be liable for any errors or omissions, or for any outcomes resulting from the use of this information.Investments in digital assets can be risky. Please carefully evaluate the risks of a product and your risk tolerance based on your own financial circumstances. For more information, please refer to our Terms of Use and Risk Disclosure.