Japan intends to lead a discussion on artificial intelligence and its risks at the Group of Seven ministerial meeting on digital issues the country will host at the end of the month, communications minister Takeaki Matsumoto has said. The push comes as the AI revolution, including chatbots like ChatGPT, has brought with it a range of concerns, such as the unauthorized collection of personal data and its impact on learning environments. Matsumoto on Friday stressed the importance of multilateral efforts in advancing and regulating AI, saying at a news conference that Japan "would like to lead the discussion so its analysis and verification can proceed under an international framework." This could be due to a conflict with your ad-blocking or security software. Please add japantimes.co.jp and piano.io to your list of allowed sites.

The Japanese government plans to draw up guidelines for underwater drones by fiscal 2020, reflecting the need for rules to prevent accidents as the use of such vehicles by the private sector is expected to increase, according to sources. Underwater drones, also called unmanned submarines, are used for such purposes as checking offshore wind power plants and underwater pipelines. The vehicles, with electric motors, move under preset programs, collect data and send it to mother ships and base stations through communications using light or sound waves. Underwater drones are also utilized for collecting data on seabeds and their geological features. There are remote-controlled models as well.

The education ministry plans to establish a system that allows students at some 50 high schools to take university courses and earn credits, with the aim of developing human resources in view of expected advances in artificial intelligence technologies. Advanced differential equation, data mining and other subjects in the mathematics and science fields will be covered by the planned version of the advanced placement system, which is used in the United States and other countries, according to ministry officials. The ministry is set to choose at least one high school from each of Japan's 47 prefectures over the next decade or so for the program. The planned initiative was included in a report compiled by a ministry panel discussing education policies for coming generations. Through the system, the ministry hopes to allow highly motivated high school students with excellent academic performances to receive even higher levels of education after they advance to university.