The Global Impact of NTT’s AI and Networking Technologies
The global telecommunications and tech market in 2024 is characterised by several crucial developments.
First, there's an increasing focus on industry-specific AI solutions, moving beyond general-purpose models to more specialised applications.
Then, the rollout of 5G networks worldwide has created new possibilities for edge computing and low-latency applications.
Lastly, there's growing recognition of the need for sustainable digital infrastructure to support the exponential growth in data processing and transmission demands.
These trends emerge against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions affecting technology supply chains and development.
Primarily the ongoing technological decoupling between China and Western nations has created new imperatives for countries like Japan to develop robust, independent technological capabilities.
Additionally, Japan's Society 5.0 initiative, which aims to create a human-centred society that balances economic advancement with the resolution of social problems, provides a unique framework for technological development.
This context makes the recent announcements from Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT), Japan's largest telecommunications company, particularly significant.
NTT has revealed an industry-specific AI cloud model and 5 world-first R&D demos.
Its position is particularly interesting given Japan's demographic challenges, including an ageing population and labour shortage, which have accelerated the need for automated and AI-driven solutions.
NTT's vision for industry AI cloud
At the 2024 NTT R&D Forum held in Tokyo, Japan, from November 25-29, NTT President and CEO Akira Shimada unveiled the company's plans for an Industry AI Cloud.
This shared platform aims to digitise and structure industry-specific expertise, enabling various sectors to expand their problem-solving capabilities.
According to Akira, while AI has been widely adopted for general operations, applying it to more specialised tasks can significantly enhance value creation.
He said: “By accumulating data across companies on a shared platform and leveraging AI, industries can collectively address societal challenges and contribute to their resolution. We call this the Industry AI Cloud and NTT is actively collaborating across various industries to realize this vision with partners.
“AI has already been widely adopted to streamline general operations, but applying AI to more specialized tasks can significantly enhance added value.”
NTT is also actively collaborating with partners across various industries to realise this vision.
For instance, the company recently announced a joint initiative with Toyota Motor Corporation to develop a "Mobility AI Platform" aimed at creating a society with no traffic accidents.
Innovative optical and wireless network (IOWN)
Central to NTT's Industry AI Cloud is the Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN), a next-generation communications infrastructure.
During the forum, NTT demonstrated the first international connection of its All-Photonics Network (APN), a key component of IOWN.
The demonstration, conducted in collaboration with Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan's largest telecommunications company, showcased a virtual reality proof-of-concept connecting Taipei and Tokyo.
Katsuhiko Kawazoe, SVP, CTO, CIO and CDO of NTT, pointed out: “Annual events such as the NTT R&D Forum in Tokyo and NTT Research Upgrade near Silicon Valley offer a first-hand look at the future of technological innovation while fostering vital conversations on how to harness that innovation to create a better future for all.”
This ultra-low-latency interactive immersive video show allowed users in both Taiwan and Japan to join a virtual space, watch performances and interact with each other.
NTT and Chunghwa Telecom also signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly advance IOWN technology in October 2023, with the world's first international connection established in August 2024.
Breakthroughs in medical technology and video production
The R&D Forum also featured demonstrations of IOWN's applications in healthcare and media production.
NTT and Olympus Corporation, a Japanese manufacturer of optics and reprography products, announced the joint development of a cloud endoscopy system utilising the IOWN APN.
This system aims to overcome the performance limitations and maintainability issues of current endoscopes by offloading high-processing functions, such as image processing, to the cloud.
The low-latency capabilities of IOWN APN make this real-time diagnosis and treatment on a remote server possible.
In the realm of media production, NTT collaborated with Tokyo Broadcasting System Television (TBS) to create Japan's first fully remote live production environment using IOWN APN.
This technology could potentially eliminate the need for outside broadcasting vehicles and on-site production staff at live events.
Future-focused innovations
NTT researchers also unveiled advancements in optical fiber technology, developing a four-core multi-core optical fiber that quadruples the capacity of current optical fibers.
This innovation is expected to meet the growing demand for optical fiber cores in inter-data center communications and submarine optical transmission.
Additionally, the company introduced a new Active Noise Control technology for open-ear headphones, which reduces ambient noise without covering users' ears.
This technology, part of NTT's Personalized Sound Zone (PSZ) concept, aims to create the ultimate private sound space.
Katsuhiko summarises: "NTT's dedication to global R&D investment provides a unique competitive advantage as we work not only to improve society through technological innovation today but also pre-emptively solve the problems of the next decade and the next half-century."
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