In 2016, Microsoft deployed two Twitter bots simultaneously: Tay, targeting American users, and Rinna, aimed at Japan. Within two weeks, Tay had descended into inflammatory, racist rhetoric; while Rinna, her Japanese counterpart, had cheerfully immersed herself in anime and geek culture.
As you note, it may just be a matter of time until Japanese consumers encounter the negative externalities of AI. Where and how that will happen will largely depend on how it's implemented in Japan by the tech companies currently jockeying for investment capital, land, energy, and V/DRAM here in the States. Still, I'm optimistic for the potentially more creative, localized uses of open source models by Japanese startups, however. If there's one thing that growing up in the shadow of Bubble-era Japan has taught me to appreciate (and never count out), it's Japan's ingenuity in adopting and adapting Western technology to suit their needs in very creative and, frankly, cool ways.
My wife being the exception, but I have noticed that many of my co-workers love sharing cat videos, regardless if AI-generated or not. And will remark on the quality on the ones I share, regardless if it's clearly AI or not
I wonder if the tech bros might not come for Japan in the end with AI, maybe via Microsoft pushing Copilot. I was working in Japan for a Japanese company in the 1990s when the decision was made to junk Ichitaro and other Japanese software and hardware and move over to Microsoft Office. Howls of pain all round but it was considered more "global" to do so.
Bit of Trivia you might find interesting: Boris Cherny, head of Claude Code lived in Japan before joining Anthropic and loves making Miso, which he credits for helping him build patience (“long time skill”) required to work on long term subjects like AGI.
Does not surprise me in the least. I’ve written before about how Japan has long had a special hold on the imagination of American tech companies. Most famously with Steve Jobs, but you can see it today in how Google members moved to Japan to launch SakanaAI, and how OpenAI used (and continues to use) so much Japanese imagery in the launch of its products. https://blog.pureinventionbook.com/p/ai-and-japan-as-a-safe-space
Do llms work the same or as well in Japanese language training? I'm guessing the answer is yes.
I think there's as much 'robot fear' in Japanese society as the West, but with less of the typically manic paranoia psychosis that invades many American mind. I've always felt that Japan's historical role post war has been to take Western technology and simply improve and refine it in ways Western society seems incapable of doing, but also they've been far quicker to use tech adapted into small everyday tasks without losing too much humanity. If that's to continue with AI they will need their own AI companies. I'm a pessimist on this. If Japan is less fearful of AI, then that surely won't last.
I appreciate your article Matt. I've been in Japan the last month, after having lived here 1974-1975 and having visited a nuber of times since then (see my latest Substacks if interested). I agree that Japan seems like it just sits back and absorbs the idea of AI much as it has all other trchnology at least since the 60's. I remember using debit cards at Sumitomo Bank ATMs in 1975 before we had any idea what they were in the USA. And Mitsubishi mini-split AC/heating in 1980 already - we're just now catching up in the US. But one big difference I notice, especially now, is that Japanese are not inundated with screens in every public place and hotel the way we are. The sceens are not there. We, on the other hand, are inundated with TV talking heads constantly. Couple that with the admirae ability of the Japanese to manage modernity simultaneously with their still deep appreciation for their culture, and you get a much healthier, optimistic acceptance of the future. At least that's my impression. In the US, the culture thing is yet to settle after a mere 250 years 😂
The Japanese are simply overworked and welcome AI. The vast majority of Western workers spend 5 hours a week actually doing cognitive work and they despise it. The gravy train has ended, selection pressures mean that the low cognition paper pusher will no longer be able to breed & feed. AI provides competition for human intelligence. And it is only through this competition that the human brain will halt its shrinkage. The devolution ends here.
In 2016, Microsoft deployed two Twitter bots simultaneously: Tay, targeting American users, and Rinna, aimed at Japan. Within two weeks, Tay had descended into inflammatory, racist rhetoric; while Rinna, her Japanese counterpart, had cheerfully immersed herself in anime and geek culture.
Would be interesting to repeat that experiment today, as the number of inflammatory racists online in Japan has gone up quite a bit since then.
That is concerning to hear
Based on what?
As you note, it may just be a matter of time until Japanese consumers encounter the negative externalities of AI. Where and how that will happen will largely depend on how it's implemented in Japan by the tech companies currently jockeying for investment capital, land, energy, and V/DRAM here in the States. Still, I'm optimistic for the potentially more creative, localized uses of open source models by Japanese startups, however. If there's one thing that growing up in the shadow of Bubble-era Japan has taught me to appreciate (and never count out), it's Japan's ingenuity in adopting and adapting Western technology to suit their needs in very creative and, frankly, cool ways.
My wife being the exception, but I have noticed that many of my co-workers love sharing cat videos, regardless if AI-generated or not. And will remark on the quality on the ones I share, regardless if it's clearly AI or not
I wonder if the tech bros might not come for Japan in the end with AI, maybe via Microsoft pushing Copilot. I was working in Japan for a Japanese company in the 1990s when the decision was made to junk Ichitaro and other Japanese software and hardware and move over to Microsoft Office. Howls of pain all round but it was considered more "global" to do so.
Bit of Trivia you might find interesting: Boris Cherny, head of Claude Code lived in Japan before joining Anthropic and loves making Miso, which he credits for helping him build patience (“long time skill”) required to work on long term subjects like AGI.
Does not surprise me in the least. I’ve written before about how Japan has long had a special hold on the imagination of American tech companies. Most famously with Steve Jobs, but you can see it today in how Google members moved to Japan to launch SakanaAI, and how OpenAI used (and continues to use) so much Japanese imagery in the launch of its products. https://blog.pureinventionbook.com/p/ai-and-japan-as-a-safe-space
For sure! My wife says Claude feels a bit more Japanese and natural in its writing, more variation than ChatGPT. What’s your impression?
Yes, the mountains…..
Interesting read Matt, thank you.
Do llms work the same or as well in Japanese language training? I'm guessing the answer is yes.
I think there's as much 'robot fear' in Japanese society as the West, but with less of the typically manic paranoia psychosis that invades many American mind. I've always felt that Japan's historical role post war has been to take Western technology and simply improve and refine it in ways Western society seems incapable of doing, but also they've been far quicker to use tech adapted into small everyday tasks without losing too much humanity. If that's to continue with AI they will need their own AI companies. I'm a pessimist on this. If Japan is less fearful of AI, then that surely won't last.
I appreciate your article Matt. I've been in Japan the last month, after having lived here 1974-1975 and having visited a nuber of times since then (see my latest Substacks if interested). I agree that Japan seems like it just sits back and absorbs the idea of AI much as it has all other trchnology at least since the 60's. I remember using debit cards at Sumitomo Bank ATMs in 1975 before we had any idea what they were in the USA. And Mitsubishi mini-split AC/heating in 1980 already - we're just now catching up in the US. But one big difference I notice, especially now, is that Japanese are not inundated with screens in every public place and hotel the way we are. The sceens are not there. We, on the other hand, are inundated with TV talking heads constantly. Couple that with the admirae ability of the Japanese to manage modernity simultaneously with their still deep appreciation for their culture, and you get a much healthier, optimistic acceptance of the future. At least that's my impression. In the US, the culture thing is yet to settle after a mere 250 years 😂
amazing. cheers 🙏
the Hal with “anime style” eyes? was that your idea? and did you use AI to make it ?
The Japanese are simply overworked and welcome AI. The vast majority of Western workers spend 5 hours a week actually doing cognitive work and they despise it. The gravy train has ended, selection pressures mean that the low cognition paper pusher will no longer be able to breed & feed. AI provides competition for human intelligence. And it is only through this competition that the human brain will halt its shrinkage. The devolution ends here.