US: Toyota to invest US$1 Billion in AI and R&D

Toyota will invest US$1 Billion over the next five years to develop Artificial Intelligence technology, as well as the Research and Development into said field. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, the new firm will begin operations in January 2016. This is a gamble which Toyota thinks is worthwhile taking, for they believe artificial intelligence has significant potential to support future industrial technologies and the creation of an entirely new industry. The new firm, TRI, will help bridge the gap between fundamental research and product development. Its primary mission is to accelerate R&D in a range of fields to help resolve society's future challenges by using artificial intelligence and big data. Thereby, contributing to a sustainable future where everyone can experience a safer, freer, and unconstrained life. These, according to the boffins at Toyota, can be achieved by applying said technologies to help make cars safer.