Japan defense chief Koizumi gets serious about AI after being impressed by US tech

TOKYO -- Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi expressed his enthusiasm for artificial intelligence (AI) following a demonstration of Palantir Technologies' Maven Smart System (MSS) in the U.S. Koizumi visited Palantir in Washington on January 16 to learn about new ways of warfare during a trip focused on discussing security matters with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Koizumi listened to explanations of how AI is being implemented in both military and manufacturing settings, with a particular focus on how the technology could improve decision-making and operational planning during combat. During his return to Tokyo, Koizumi convened a team to promote AI adoption, emphasizing the need to address potential risks and ensure responsible use of the technology.

Palantir's MSS has been utilized in various U.S. military operations, including a successful raid in Venezuela and target selection for an attack on Iran. The Japanese Defense Ministry has allocated funds for a project to integrate AI into command-and-control systems for Self-Defense Forces (SDF) units, with the aim of accelerating development by leveraging existing foreign technologies while enhancing domestic AI capabilities.

However, concerns have been raised about the potential for errors in AI systems and the security risks associated with entrusting foreign-made AI with sensitive information.