What is IOWN?

1. Road to IOWN

Let me today introduce our initiatives to expand the use of the Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN) called the “Road to IOWN.” Before that, I would like to reflect on recent natural disasters, which have become much more severe than in the past. In the summer of 2021, a disastrous landslide occurred in Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture in Japan, and in Germany, about 200 people died in torrential rains and floods. There were also the earthquake in Haiti and wildfires in California. On top of all that, the threat of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has changed our lives dramatically over the last two years.

The pandemic has made remote work (work from home) more widespread and has made it difficult for people to meet in person. Along with the world becoming more connected through the Internet, problems such as crimes related to the Internet and overflow of information with varying quality called “infodemic” have been increasing. From a different viewpoint, a lesson learned from natural disasters and pandemics is, “Nature is full of unexpected things.” We should be aware that unexpected things are happening all the time and are out of our control. Therefore, what conclusions can be reached when the situation is so unexpected and uncontrollable? The means of trying to explain the world using natural science is called “naturalism.” As the idea of naturalism alone cannot deal with natural disasters, it is necessary to take a broader view of preparation that goes beyond what is scientifically understood.

The world cannot be explained by logic alone. Jakob von Uexküll, a German biologist and philosopher, thought about this problem in a different way and came up with the concept of the “umwelt” (“environment” or “self-centered world” in English) (Fig. 1). Umwelt may not have received much attention in current academic circles. However, we may need to apply this concept of umwelt when we think about unexpected things as the scale of natural disasters is increasing and people tend to be more easily divided due to the development of social networking services (SNSs), etc. By applying this concept to the direction in which technology should advance, we aim to expand the area in the human umwelt occupied by information processing, which is currently very small. In other words, the goal is to achieve a situation closer to nature. For example, broadband enables high-speed, high-capacity data transmission. This technology is based on the idea of recreating a situation close to nature. Meanwhile, our communication devices have evolved from fixed-line telephones to smartphones, and at each evolution, we need to learn how to use new devices, which results in putting load on humans. This situation is far from natural. Technology, which can naturally support the human desire to communicate and convey our thoughts, will lead our world to greater happiness.

Fig. 1. Human umwelt—Enlarge areas of information processing.

2. Bio digital twin

Researchers at NTT Research, Inc. in the United States are working on reproducing the physical and psychological states of humans in cyberspace (Fig. 2). They are currently focusing on modeling the heart. This research will support treatment based on predictions by modeling and simulating hemodynamics from blood-flow data and visualizing the cardiopulmonary state. They have also started contributing to preventive medicine for illnesses such as heart disease and failure. Bio digital twin is another example for making information processing closer to nature.

Fig. 2. Bio digital twin.

3. All-Photonics Network

The framework of IOWN consists of three major layers and four functions. The first layer is the All-Photonics Network (Fig. 3). The idea behind the All-Photonics Network is to use optical fiber across the entire network, replace the semiconductors that process information with optical technology, and use optical computers. The All-Photonics Network will support high-capacity, low-latency, and low-power-consumption communication. A data-driven society generates huge amounts of packets and information data. The datacenters that store, transform, and process such data generate heat like a toaster and are currently cooled inefficiently by using fans. Optical technology will change this situation by reducing heat generation drastically. Such technological revolution should bring about breakthrough innovations.

Fig. 3. IOWN framework.

On top of the All-Photonics Network are the fixed and mobile networks as the second layer, in which many companies provide services around the world. Fifth-generation mobile communication networks (5G) are now being offered, and after that comes the era of 6G. The third layer is Digital Twin Computing. In this layer, objects in real space are reproduced in cyberspace such as a bio digital twin as described previously. These three layers are connected via a multi-orchestrator, and the entire structure is called Cognitive Foundation^®. We will live in a world in which various businesses will compete and cooperate with each other, and Cognitive Foundation^® will be the key to promoting such competition. IOWN is formed by the elements of interconnection and interoperation. Several use cases of the All-Photonics Network have started in 2021.

4. Advances in photonics-electronics-converged devices

Current semiconductors generate a large amount of heat as they are operated by electrons (Fig. 6). To address this issue, we are researching and developing a photonics-electronics-converged device that will enable inter-chip optical transmission and plan to announce it at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. By 2030, we aim to make a photonics-electronics-converged device that enables both inter-chip and intra-chip optical transmission.

Fig. 6. Evolution of photonics-electronics-converged devices.

In the era of IOWN, various elements will be combined to form a single system. For example, in the late 2020s, photonics-electronics-converged chips will be applied to mobile communication facilities. In addition, a new optical interconnect device (called super white box) that transcends the traditional concept of the server is planned to be introduced.

5. Toward achieving carbon neutrality

In 2013, NTT Group emitted about 1% of Japan’s greenhouse gas emissions, which was about 4.65 million tons per year (Fig. 7). To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we will promote energy conservation and use renewable energy. However, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions will still increase if we only take these measures without any other solutions since the amount of electricity usage increases in conjunction with the increase in information processing. To achieve carbon neutrality, we need to leverage the power of IOWN.

Fig. 7. Activities for achieving carbon neutrality.

We aim to achieve carbon neutrality in the datacenter and mobile sectors by 2030 and throughout the entire NTT Group by 2040. We must solve environmental problems through innovation and drive economic growth simultaneously. While these goals are contradictory, we will tackle them with a paraconsistent approach. We believe that we can contribute to reducing the environmental impact of the entire society through the introduction and expansion of IOWN.

6. How to transform NTT Group

We are currently focusing on three pillars to transform NTT Group (Fig. 8). The first pillar aims to strengthen our domestic and global businesses as digitalization and digital transformation (DX) spreads around the world. Regarding the second pillar, in both “corona” and “post corona” societies, we need to introduce a new management style to cope with the transition as we move toward a decentralized society. The third pillar is to increase our corporate value through ESG (environmental, social, and corporate governance) and other initiatives to maximize the well-being of our society. Through the initiatives of these three pillars, we aim to contribute to creating a sustainable society.

Fig. 8. Directionality of NTT Group’s transformation.

7. Transformation to a new management style

With regard to the reform of our management style, we have continued and strengthened remote working during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, employee satisfaction, especially among those raising children, has improved. This fact shows that remote working can mitigate some of the issues brought by childcare and both parents working. Looking ahead to the future, we would like to further promote a “work-in-life” (health management) approach (Fig. 9).

Fig. 9. Transformation to a new management style.

8. Sustainable society

Let us think about what kind of sustainable society we aim for. First, it is a society that cannot be understood by dualism. Next, as the word “diversity” implies, it is a society that simultaneously embraces and puts into practice various viewpoints and ideas. To achieve this sustainable society, the concept of “Self as We” becomes the basic philosophy (Fig. 10).

Fig. 10. Sustainable society.

Our society has generally been operating under the concept of “Self as I”—which is about valuing the individual. According to biologist Dr. Shinichi Fukuoka, no organism can transcend its species. However, humans have overcome the idea that only they and their offspring are important. In other words, humans have developed as individuals who are not limited to genetics.

For example, only humans can have the concept of inclusion of members of the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) community. If we look further into the next era, our alter egos will extend to cyberspace. In cyberspace, you will also be able to have your own family, friends, and community. This world is also based on “Self as We,” rather than “Self as I.” I believe we should adopt such a philosophy.

The concept of “Self as We” is that;

Accepting the concept of “Self as We,” we set the following three themes to achieve a sustainable society;

Fig. 11. Three themes for a sustainable society.

We established NTT Group Global Sustainability Charter on the basis of the above-mentioned “Self as We” concept and three themes. Along with this charter, we specified our Environment and Energy Vision, New Management Style, and Human Rights Policy, which were shared within entire NTT Group globally [1].

9. Concluding remarks

I have talked a lot today, and my book, “Paraconsistent World,” which is about to be published, covers more details through discussion with various experts. I hope you will find an opportunity to read it.

Reference

[1]	Press release issued by NTT, “Establishment of NTT Group Global Sustainability Charter - Towards a Sustainable Society -,” Nov. 10, 2021. https://group.ntt/en/newsrelease/2021/11/10/211110d.html