From AI to Quantum, innovation with an ethical vision
From generative artificial intelligence to quantum computing and photonics, up to the digital twin. These are just some of the cutting-edge innovations on display at the Ntt R&D Forum, the annual event underway in Tokyo, which presents the results of the 3.6 billion dollars that the Japanese group invests every year in research and innovation. Thanks to the interactive installations, the event allows visitors to come into direct contact with the most recent technologies developed through the innovation centers around the world: 11 globally, four of which are ‘Tier 1’, first level, among which Milan stands out, “in terms of history, number of meetings, and size”, in addition to those in Tokyo, Bangalore and Texas.
“It’s not just a physical space, but the ability to work on ’emerging technologies’, the ability to verticalize them towards the business, as well as naturally having a space that enables this transformation”, explains to ANSA Pietro Scarpino, Managing director, Advanced Technologies and innovation, Italy, of Ntt Data, at the head of a structure in Italy that employs over 200 people. “Italy played a central role for many reasons: one because there is a very strong bond with Japan, there is an esteem and respect that goes beyond anything. In Japan there is this truly ‘foresight’ vision, of trying to make the world a better place, and you realize that it is not simply storytelling. Maybe working with American companies is different, compared to the Japanese perspective, because you see that long-term vision which in some way is more ethical. And you see it everywhere”.
A path of rapprochement between Italy and Japan which is based on a long relationship of trust and mutual recognition, vital for the progress of activities: “In Italy today we talk about ‘digital linguistic human behavior’ not only about artificial intelligence. We work with Iulm in Milan, L’Orientale in Naples and with Statale di Pavia, therefore universities that deal not with technology but with humanities, and in this way we have integrated the possibilities of being able to explore thanks also to our CEO who allows us to do so”. However, innovating today is no longer enough, we must also generate social and environmental value, conditions which are part of Ntt Data’s strategic plan, Scarpino further underlines: “IOWN (Innovative Optical Wireless Network) was created with this aim. That is, the fact of being able to transmit information only through light, and no longer in fiber wired systems, ensuring that the light does not stop at the entrance of the data center but reaches the rack, so all the junctions that add delay and latency are cancelled. Being able to arrive with the light up to the photonic chip means that I no longer need to have data centers close to the places where data redundancy is needed, and therefore this changes a lot, because you really enable the concept of green data centers since you can move them at any distance, so the fact that you communicate at the speed of light without latency, and at speed 100 times higher than that of traditional internet, and latency 100 times lower, changes this concept. The second concept that will be enabled in the future means that I I no longer need to have a computer as we understand it. When it’s all light I can have a device that is just the CPU, but I can have the storage in Milan, and in Naples I can have the memory, because everything travels at the speed of light”.
Innovations that contribute not only to responsible growth, but also to greater social cohesion at a global level, concludes Scarpino: “The other far-sighted thing is that Iown was not created as a patent of Ntt Data, the company made it available to the community. An Iown Global Forum consortium was born in which Intel and Sony are founding members; however, all the big names and all the competitors entered. We always talk about the transformation induced by technology. The concept of Japanese ‘Foresight’ is understood in this sense: not the ability and vision to predict what will happen, but to direct it. And this is very Japanese as a concept, and it is something that I love. There is the possibility of telling a credible story that is aligned with the values of the new generations.”
