Japanese company develops AI for underwater sound analysis to aid submarine and resource exploration

Japanese electronics firm NEC is developing an artificial intelligence system designed to analyze underwater acoustic waves, enabling rapid and precise assessment of marine environments. The initiative, undertaken through a contract with Japan's Defense Equipment Agency, aims to bolster the nation's defense capabilities.

NEC plans to train the AI using vast amounts of marine acoustic data. This approach is crucial because sound waves are more effective than light or radio waves for exploring deep waters where visibility is limited. However, analyzing these sound waves has traditionally been a time-consuming task for experts due to interference from noise sources like waves and moving vessels.

The AI will incorporate technologies similar to those used in advanced generative AI models, such as OpenAI's ChatGPT, alongside NEC's proprietary generative AI technologies. The company intends to leverage its extensive experience, spanning over 90 years, in developing sonar systems for submarine detection.

Once operational, the AI system is expected to analyze acoustic data captured by sensors on ships. Potential applications include submarine detection, exploration of undersea resources, and weather forecasting. The report also suggests a possibility for future use in earthquake prediction.