May 2016 Vol. 14 No. 5

Feature Articles: Artificial Intelligence Research Activities in NTT Group

• Artificial Intelligence Research Activities and Directions in the NTT Group

  

  Abstract
  The research and development of artificial intelligence (AI) at NTT is advancing along four directions: (1) Agent-AI for analyzing information issued by people and understanding intentions and emotions in that information; (2) Heart-Touching-AI for analyzing unconscious and unnoticeable aspects of a person’s mind and body and understanding deep psychological, intellectual, and instinctual states in that person; (3) Ambient-AI for analyzing and understanding just about anything in the world (objects, people, the environment) and instantaneously predicting and controlling those things; and (4) Network-AI for organically connecting and cultivating multiple types of AI and optimizing the entire social system. This article introduces the technologies supporting these four forms of AI and specific AI-related activities in the NTT Group.

• Natural Language Processing Supporting Artificial Intelligence

  

  Abstract
  Natural language processing technology is considered to be essential to achieving artificial intelligence (AI) that can substitute for humans in certain roles. Most robots and AI systems that appear in fiction are equipped with a natural language interface, and it is expected that clever AI will learn on its own from encyclopedias, news reports, and other textual sources. Exactly what kinds of AI functions will be achieved through natural language processing technology? This article introduces the role that natural language processing technology can be expected to play in achieving AI.

• Cloud-based Interaction Control Technologies for Robotics Integrated Development Environment (R-env^TM)

  

  Abstract
  Communication robots are able to detect the surrounding situation through cameras or sensors, and they use motion to show non-verbal expressions. Furthermore, automobiles and personal devices such as vacuum cleaners are being robotized with the application of verbal communication technology. In the near future, it will become very important for various robots to be able to connect to and work together with devices that surround us in order to support human activities and enhance our lives. This article introduces R-envTM, a cloud-based Interaction Control technology.

• The Eyes as an Indicator of the Mind―A Key Element of Heart-Touching-AI

  

  Abstract
  Technology for reading the mind is an important element of Heart-Touching-AI, which aims to understand and support the human mind and body. The well-known saying “The eyes are the windows to the soul” expresses the fact that pupil response and eye movement can reveal information about a person’s mental state. Research is underway at NTT Communication Science Laboratories to find the principles of understanding a person’s mental state from his or her eyes in order to develop basic technologies that can apply such a capability to real-world problems.

• Business Transformation Using Artificial Intelligence at NTT Communications

  

  Abstract
  At NTT Communications, we are actively introducing artificial intelligence (AI) in our operations, solutions, and services. In this article, we introduce some of the efforts underway to transform existing business models using AI at NTT Communications.

• Artificial Intelligence Technology Development and Its Practical Use at NTT DATA

  

  Abstract
  NTT DATA established a new organization called the AI Solution Promotion Office on October 1, 2015, to promote artificial intelligence (AI)-related initiatives and to respond to customer inquiries regarding the utilization of AI. The new organization will promote AI-related technological know-how accumulated in-house, as well as the NTT research and development laboratories’ world-class AI technologies. This article introduces some examples of NTT DATA’s approaches regarding the utilization of AI technologies.

• Utilization of Artificial Intelligence in Call Centers

  

  Abstract
  In November 2014, IBM Japan, Ltd. and Mizuho Bank, Ltd. issued a press release on the Watson computer system that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to support call center operators. Since then, the expectation that AI will be used in the call center sector of major companies has been increasing rapidly. This article introduces AI technology that is being used effectively in call centers now and AI technology that is expected to be widely introduced within the next few years. NTT Software’s ForeSight Voice Mining technology is also described.

Regular Articles

• Optical Switches Using Beam Steering by Computer Generated Hologram

  

  Abstract
  We describe a computer generated hologram (CGH) method that is applicable to a multiple input and multiple output (MxN) optical switch based on liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS). The optics of the conventional MxN optical switch require multiple spatial light modulations. In addition, a phase pattern designed using the CGH method achieves a simple MxN optical switch with a single spatial phase modulation. Moreover, the intrinsic loss of the proposed MxN switch from beam splitting can be reduced by routing multiple signals with a single knob control. We demonstrate a 4x4 wavelength selective switch and a 2-degree reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer switch based on the above CGH method. The experimental results indicate that these switches work well with a crosstalk of < −20.0 dB.

• Edge Router System that Distributes Traffic Flexibly According to Services

  

  Abstract
  In the future, communication networks will need to provide various services more flexibly and efficiently according to the diversified needs of customers and service partners. NTT Network Service Systems Laboratories is researching and developing an edge router system that distributes traffic flexibly to various service functions in a network. This system is being developed in order to reduce costs by increasing transfer capacity and reducing power consumption, and to respond to service needs flexibly by employing traffic distribution and policy control functions.

Global Standardization Activities

• Standardization Activities at W3C TPAC 2015

  

  Abstract
  The World Wide Web Consortium Technical Plenary / Advisory Committee Meetings Week 2015 (W3C TPAC 2015) was held from October 26 to 30, 2015 in Sapporo, Japan, marking the first TPAC meeting held in this country. This article reports on W3C TPAC 2015 with a focus on NTT Group standardization activities in TPAC.

External Awards/Papers Published in Technical Journals and Conference Proceedings

• External Awards/Papers Published in Technical Journals and Conference Proceedings