Group 1 - Preferred Networks is recognized as a "true AI" company due to its reliance on deep learning, NLP, and generative models, along with its self-developed models and AI frameworks [1][3][4] - The company has a strong product versatility, offering solutions across various sectors including industrial automation, healthcare, and education, with over 435 global patents [5][6] - Despite its initial ambitions for international expansion, Preferred Networks has reverted to a domestic focus, raising concerns for other Japanese tech firms considering overseas ventures [2][10] Group 2 - Preferred Networks was founded in 2014 and developed the deep learning framework Chainer, which was once positioned alongside TensorFlow and PyTorch [3][11] - The company has shifted its strategy to collaborate with major Japanese corporations like Toyota and Nissan, focusing on customized AI systems rather than pursuing a broader international presence [13][18] - The company has established a new subsidiary, Preferred Elements, aimed at foundational technology development, indicating a potential shift towards a more open approach [14][16] Group 3 - PKSHA Technology, another prominent Japanese AI firm, has shown strong profitability with significant revenue growth, serving various industries including retail and finance [24][25][26] - Unlike Preferred Networks, PKSHA retains ambitions for international collaboration, partnering with companies like Microsoft and Tencent [26] - The early establishment of AI companies in Japan, such as PKSHA and Preferred Networks, was driven by a combination of engineering talent and industry demand for automation [28][30] Group 4 - The Japanese AI industry is characterized by a closed-loop system where startups primarily serve large domestic corporations, limiting their growth potential and innovation [44][45] - The government and large companies emphasize project-based AI solutions, which diminishes the drive for exploratory or innovative AI developments [44][45] - Cultural factors contribute to the lack of ambition for developing universal AI platforms, contrasting with the more aggressive approaches seen in other countries [30][43]

Core Insights - The article highlights the trend of scientists and researchers leaving the United States due to ongoing attacks on education and science, with a notable example being Alex Lamb joining Tsinghua University's newly established College of AI [1][4]. Group 1: Academic Movements - Alex Lamb, a senior researcher from Microsoft Research's New York lab, will join Tsinghua University as an assistant professor in the College of AI starting in the upcoming fall semester [1]. - Lamb has a strong academic background, having obtained his bachelor's degree in applied mathematics and computer science from Johns Hopkins University and a PhD in computer science from the University of Montreal, where he studied under Turing Award winner Yoshua Bengio [1][2]. - The College of AI plans to recruit doctoral and master's students, as well as visiting students, with a preference for those with experience in machine learning and reinforcement learning [1]. Group 2: Research Focus - Lamb's research focuses on machine learning, particularly reinforcement learning and generative models, with recent studies aimed at improving performance in long text and uncertainty modeling [2]. - His work includes learning strategies through interaction and unsupervised exploration, as well as developing new training methods for generative and sequence models [2]. Group 3: Institutional Developments - Tsinghua University's College of AI, established in April 2024, is led by Turing Award winner and Chinese Academy of Sciences academician Yao Qizhi, focusing on cutting-edge AI research and talent cultivation [4]. - The college aims to make significant breakthroughs in foundational AI and interdisciplinary applications, emphasizing "core AI" and "AI+" directions [4]. Group 4: Broader Trends in AI - Amidst turmoil in the U.S. academic landscape, Lamb's appointment signifies a prominent effort by China to recruit top AI scholars from the U.S., as AI is a focal point of competition between the two major economies [4]. - A survey conducted by Nature revealed that over 75% of researchers in the U.S. are considering leaving the country, with many seeking to relocate to places that support scientific endeavors [4][6]. - The Chinese government is increasing investments in the AI sector, with the establishment of a national AI industry investment fund totaling 60.06 billion RMB, aimed at supporting the entire AI industry chain [6].