SoftBank Launches New Venture to Develop Homegrown LLMs for Japan

Exciting news from SoftBank! Introducing SB Intuitions, a new venture focused on developing homegrown Large Language Models (LLM) specialized for the Japanese language. This move aims to bring generative AI services to businesses and consumers in Japan. 

SB Intuitions plans to tap into SoftBank's extensive consumer and enterprise operations in Japan to source data for its AI models. The company will utilize a computing platform built on Nvidia GPUs for developing generative AI applications, set to launch by March 2024.

Hironobu Tamba, a longtime SoftBank employee, will lead the new venture. SB Intuitions kicks off with a paid-in capital of 150 million yen ($1M+ USD), reflecting SoftBank's commitment to advancing generative AI technology.

SoftBank recognizes the significance of domestic generative AI development, aiming to tailor AI models to Japanese language, culture, and business practices. This initiative aligns with SoftBank's alliance with Microsoft for secure data environments and AI collaboration.

In a strategic move, SB Intuitions plans to establish a multi-generative AI system, selecting the most suitable model from offerings by OpenAI, Microsoft, Google, and other companies to meet clients' diverse needs. Generative AI is shaping up to be a pivotal technology of the future.

 SoftBank's foray into LLM development signifies its commitment to bridging the gap in AI innovation, ensuring Japan's unique linguistic and cultural expressions are effectively addressed by generative AI technology. Stay tuned for exciting developments!