Last spring, CellarTracker, a wine-collection app, built an artificial intelligence-powered sommelier to make unvarnished wine recommendations based on a person’s palate. The problem was the chatbot was too nice. “It’s just very polite, instead of just saying, ‘It’s really unlikely you’ll like the wine,’” CellarTracker CEO Eric LeVine said. It took six weeks of trial… Continue reading Business leaders agree AI is the future. They just wish it worked right now.
Category: Technology
Japan Plans ¥1 Trillion Boost for Domestic AI Development
Japan is preparing to invest around ¥1 trillion ($6.3 billion) over five years to support the development of home-grown artificial intelligence, according to people familiar with the plan. The funding is expected to begin in fiscal 2026. The initiative will involve a new company formed by roughly 10 firms, including SoftBank Group, with the goal… Continue reading Japan Plans ¥1 Trillion Boost for Domestic AI Development
Turn an Old Smartphone Into a DIY Security Camera
If you have an old smartphone lying unused in a drawer, it can be put to work as a basic home security camera with minimal effort. Instead of throwing it away or letting it collect dust, you can repurpose the device to monitor your home, office, or even keep an eye on pets while you’re… Continue reading Turn an Old Smartphone Into a DIY Security Camera
Why Japan’s Internet Feels So Different
For many visitors and first-time users, Japan’s internet can feel strikingly unfamiliar. Webpages often appear crowded, colorful, and dense with information, a sharp contrast to the minimalist designs common in much of the Western digital world. Yet this distinctive style did not emerge by accident — it reflects deeper cultural, linguistic, and aesthetic traditions. Japanese… Continue reading Why Japan’s Internet Feels So Different
Hyundai Motor Group to Spotlight AI Robotics Strategy at CES 2026
Hyundai Motor Group plans to present its artificial intelligence–driven robotics strategy at CES 2026, marking a strategic shift toward advanced robotics following setbacks in autonomous driving. The showcase will feature Atlas, an all-electric humanoid robot developed by Boston Dynamics, which will be demonstrated publicly for the first time. Atlas is positioned as a core element… Continue reading Hyundai Motor Group to Spotlight AI Robotics Strategy at CES 2026
Japan’s Maritime Industry Charts a Greener, More Resilient Future
Japan’s shipbuilding and maritime sectors remain critical to the country’s economic security, employment, and trade, according to Keita Arakaki, director-general of the Maritime Bureau at the transport ministry. He notes that shipbuilding is deeply tied to regional economies, particularly around the Seto Inland Sea, where local manufacturers, financial institutions, and service providers form a tightly… Continue reading Japan’s Maritime Industry Charts a Greener, More Resilient Future
Honda to cut down production at plants in Japan and China due to shortage of semiconductor chips
Honda Motor will have to cut down production at plants in Japan and China in coming weeks, due to fallout of the global chip shortage. The company will halt output in Japan on Jan. 5 and Jan. 6, a spokesperson mentioned on Thursday, without specifying which plants will be affected. Moreover, its three facilities in… Continue reading Honda to cut down production at plants in Japan and China due to shortage of semiconductor chips