Sony Makes a Push into Artificial Intelligence with a New R&D Unit Focusing on Sensing, AI and Digital Virtual Spaces
In Brief
The new AI research and development unit will support Sony’s transformation into an AI and data-driven company.
Sony’s existing AI arm, Sony AI, will become a part of Sony Research.
Sony Research hopes to inspire creators with new AI tools and augment their creativity.
The establishment of Sony Research Inc was first communicated at the company’s R&D strategy briefing in December 2022. The objective of this initiative is to support Sony’s transformation into an AI and data-driven company. Sony Research also aims to enable creators, researchers, engineers, and entrepreneurs included, to enhance their creativity while maximizing the value of their intellectual property and enhancing fan engagement through AI tools.
According to Sony, the research will be focused on the areas of Sensing, AI, and Virtual Spaces. Sony AI, which was founded in 2020, will be absorbed by Sony Research. On the other hand, Sony Research will build upon the success of Sony AI and expand its scope to encompass additional research areas.
In February, Sony AI announced the global release of its AI racing agent, Gran Turismo Sophy™ (GT Sophy), in partnership with Polyphony Digital Inc. Sony claims that GT Sophy “is the first superhuman AI agent to outrace the world’s best drivers of the highly realistic racing simulation game, GT Sport.”
Like other companies working on AI tools, Sony has also been developing its own AI ethics, which is one of Sony AI’s flagship projects.
Led by Hiroaki Kitano, current Senior Executive Vice President and CTO of Sony Group Corporation, Sony Research will operate globally with projects and partners around the world.
“Sony’s Purpose is to ‘Fill the world with emotion, through the power of creativity and technology,’ and to realize this vision, we must continue to innovate and create technologies that will accelerate Sony’s transformation into an AI and data-driven company and support Sony’s businesses,” said Kitano in a press release. “The creation of Sony Research supports this effort through research and development in domains including sensing, AI, and digital virtual spaces, which will play a central role in expanding Sony’s business in the future.”
Sony has been expanding its presence in trending spaces, including NFT, metaverse, and web3. Last November, the company filed a patent that uses blockchain technology to track in-game assets. It also unveiled a motion capture device, Mocopi, that allows anyone to track their body movements and create videos or operate avatars in real-time with metaverse apps like VR chat.
Most recently, two of Sony’s other subsidiaries, Sony Network Communications and Sony Interactive Entertainment, have launched a web3 incubation program and registered a patent for transferring assets between gaming platforms, respectively.
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About The Author
Cindy is a journalist at Metaverse Post, covering topics related to web3, NFT, metaverse and AI, with a focus on interviews with Web3 industry players. She has spoken to over 30 C-level execs and counting, bringing their valuable insights to readers. Originally from Singapore, Cindy is now based in Tbilisi, Georgia. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications & Media Studies from the University of South Australia and has a decade of experience in journalism and writing. Get in touch with her via [email protected] with press pitches, announcements and interview opportunities.
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Cindy is a journalist at Metaverse Post, covering topics related to web3, NFT, metaverse and AI, with a focus on interviews with Web3 industry players. She has spoken to over 30 C-level execs and counting, bringing their valuable insights to readers. Originally from Singapore, Cindy is now based in Tbilisi, Georgia. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications & Media Studies from the University of South Australia and has a decade of experience in journalism and writing. Get in touch with her via [email protected] with press pitches, announcements and interview opportunities.
