AI quest drives major orders for Japan's supercomputer makers - Nikkei Asian Review

As artificial intelligence increasingly takes center stage in computer technology, large-scale orders are heading to Japan's supercomputer makers from research entities in need of the massive processing power those machines provide. Fujitsu is assembling a dedicated AI-use supercomputer for the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research, better known as Riken, which plans to start using it in April. Tokyo Institute of Technology, also known as Tokyo Tech, has ordered a large-scale system for AI-education purposes from SGI Japan, another supercomputer maker. The institute plans to introduce it in August. And industry insiders are looking forward to an even bigger opportunity: a huge AI-use supercomputer the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, or AIST, wants to start using in 2018.