Project for Innovative AI Chip and Next-Generation Computing Technology Development

To promote the advanced utilization of information—which has rapidly increased with the arrival of an IoT society—it is essential to shift from the conventional cloud-intensive approach to a distributed processing approach, including edge computing, which involves centralizing information processing at the network terminals, or edges. In addition, many people have declared the end of Moore's law, which has been used as an indicator of semiconductor development until now. As extensions for existing technologies start to reach their limits, there is a need to realize technology based on new principles that makes possible a dramatic reduction in the amount of electrical power necessary to process rapidly increasing amounts of data.

The goal of this project is to resolve social issues faced by Japan in a post-Moore era and enhance or restore the competitiveness of Japan's information technology industry. To accomplish this, this project involves the development of integrated technology, including not only hardware but also software and security, in relation to the following three research and development activities: (1) Development of ultra-low-power-consumption AI edge computing technology, (2) Development of next-generation computing technology based on new principles^(*), and (3) Development of cross-sectoral technology related to the collection, accumulation, analysis, security, and other tasks necessary to make the efficient, advanced utilization of a large amount of data possible, with the aim of building an IoT information platform for the coming post-Moore era.

(*) To ensure effective management and in view of the technical expertise required for the areas of research, research and development item (2) is organized into item (2)-1: development of quantum-related computing technologies, and item (2)-2: development of next-generation computing technologies based on new principles (i.e., non-quantum-related computing technologies), with research and development activities carried out under the supervision of PLs possessing expertise in these respective areas.

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  Project diagram