Japan courts ASEAN on AI tech to check China's influence

Tokyo seeks Asian-tailored models that also promote democratic values

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Japan hopes to team up with ASEAN members to study large language models that serve as a basis for developing generative AI. © Reuters

KIU SUGANO, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Japan will work with member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on the development of large language models (LLM) for artificial intelligence, amid concerns about China's efforts to regulate AI in ways that critics say are authoritarian.

The cooperation will focus on the research and development of LLMs, considered the foundation of generative AI. The collaboration will include developing LLMs for Southeast Asian languages, as well as minimizing the generation of incorrect information and devising safety assessment standards to protect user privacy.

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