The May 2021 issue of ” Artificial Intelligence “, an academic journal published by the Japanese Society for Artificial Intelligence, was published on May 1st.
” Artificial Intelligence ” is an academic journal in which the editorial committee decides the theme and articles related to AI are brought together and published, and is published once every two months. It is an academic journal with a history of more than 30 years that covers fields and topical AI research that are familiar to us, and allows you to obtain current AI issues and the latest AI information. AINOW introduces the special features of each issue through interviews with researchers.
This time, we interviewed three members of the student editorial committee of JSAI and RSJ who were in charge of writing the article “Article Joint Project between the Society of Artificial Intelligence (JSAI) and the Robotics Society of Japan (RSJ) (Interview between the two chairmen)”.
This JSAI x RSJ collaboration project is a report that tells the story of the conversation held in November 2020 between JSAI chairman Isoki Noda and RSJ chairman (at that time) Minoru Asada.
In addition, the JSAI and RSJ student editorial committees jointly plan articles written by the RSJ student editorial committee in the JSAI academic journal, and articles written by the JSAI student editorial committee in the RSJ academic journal. . Due to the difference in how the articles are organized, the project is designed to show the differences and commonalities in the points of view of the two student editorial committees.
Robots play an important role in the practical use of AI, and in addition to conventional industrial robots for the manufacturing industry, the development of robots in various fields to solve social issues is progressing. On the other hand, in many studies so far, the fields of AI and robotics have been positioned separately, and fusion research has not been promoted.
How will research progress in the fields of AI and robotics in the future? We interviewed JSAI student editorial committee member Matsushima, RSJ student editorial committee member Mr. Miyamoto, and Mr. Kojima, who are members of a university research group as students and are engaged in a wide range of research.
Born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1996. A doctoral student at the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Engineering. I am interested in developing adaptive robots that can coexist with humans, and in constructively understanding vitality and intelligence. Currently researching robot learning.RSJ student editorial committee Taku Miyamoto
Born in 1993 in Osaka. In 2017, graduated from the Department of Electronic Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering Science, Osaka University. In 2019, completed the first term of doctoral course at the Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Master of Science (Information Science). Currently, he is in the doctoral course of the same graduate school. Adopted by Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (DC2) in 2020. His research interests are human interface and human augmentation, virtual reality. As an undergraduate, he did research on semiconductors, but became interested in the relationship between humans and robots.
Momo Kojima
Born in 1999 in Hyogo prefecture. In 2018, he entered the Department of Applied Science and Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Osaka University, where he is currently enrolled. He is interested in the relationship between humans and communication robots, drones, and cognitive development. Undergraduate studies on factors that create added value in manufacturing and sustainable product design
Table of Contents
- “Sense of distance” between AI research and robot research
- Theory-oriented AI research, implementation-oriented robot research
- Relationship with the field of robots in AI maps
- Possibilities of robot research
- Student editorial committee activities
- Thoughts in planning
- The Japanese Society for Artificial Intelligence, Journal of the Japanese Society for Artificial Intelligence, May 2021
- in conclusion
“Sense of distance” between AI research and robot research
Theory-oriented AI research, implementation-oriented robot research
ーーWhat kind of impression did you have when you heard the dialogue between the two presidents?
Mr. Kojima (RSJ)
Certainly, I feel that the number of papers that fuse both fields is still small, and if the fusion progresses, I think that interesting robots that are useful in the real world will be created.
ーーMr. Matsushima, who is studying in the research field of robot learning, what do you think about the differences between these two fields? How do you feel after being asked to speak again?
Mr. Matsushima (JSAI)
On the other hand, it is very important for robots to move, so the way of thinking of researchers is sometimes different, but both presidents say that it is important for both, and they seem to understand each other’s research fields. I felt it.
ーーWhile it is not a necessary condition for AI to start working in the real world, robots are more important than implementation. Perhaps that’s why the two fields seem so far apart.
Relationship with the field of robots in AI maps
ーーIn the discussion between the two chairpersons, JSAI is talking about “ AI Map β ,” which maps various research themes in the AI field . What do you think about the relationship between AI and robots in maps?
Mr. Matsushima (JSAI)
Mr. Miyamoto (RSJ)
AI is the study of intelligence, and where intelligence is born is the human body. In other words, it was interesting to hear that human intelligence is born from the presence of the human body and is reflected in the design of cities and the tools we have.
ーーThat’s interesting. I agree with Professor Yoichiro Miyake , who often says that intelligence cannot exist without a robot interface . Is it important to integrate robot research and AI research in a cyclical manner?
Mr. Miyamoto (RSJ)
Possibilities of robot research
–Please tell us about any trends in robot research or any discoveries you have made during your research.
Mr. Miyamoto (RSJ)
For example, with a robot arm, we are trying to reproduce a human hand, so the degree of freedom is very high. However, my idea is that “Since it’s a robot, I want to make it move that only a robot can do.” If we can create a robot arm that can move that only robots can do, I think that by having humans implement it, we can expand what humans can do.
ーーI see. If we can do that, I feel that the nature of human intelligence will change. Mr. Matsushima, do you have any thoughts on what you want the robot to look like?
Mr. Matsushima (JSAI)
However, when interacting with the real world, the characteristic of being “hard” is often a disadvantage.
In order to grasp an object, it has to be in the correct posture to get used to the robot’s hand well, and it is also happening that it is difficult to control due to hardware restrictions. Soft robotics is popular, but I think it’s important to be able to use such soft deformations and control them properly.
ーーHow about Mr. Kojima?
Mr. Kojima (RSJ)
Student editorial committee activities
ーーWhat kind of organization are the student editorial committee members involved in?
Mr. Matsushima (JSAI)
Until now, I have often interviewed experts. Recently, I’ve been collecting information from various perspectives, interviewing a wide range of people, and then deciding on a theme and putting it all together.
Mr. Miyamoto (RSJ)
For example, there has never been a project between RSJ and JSAI students like this time, so I would like to do such a new initiative in the future.
Thoughts in planning
ーーWhat kind of person would you like to read this article about the joint project?
Mr. Kojima (RSJ)
Mr. Matsushima (JSAI)
JSAI doesn’t have much web media, but RSJ has a site called ” Robo -Gaku ” and publishes a lot of articles that appeal to high school students. I would like to do something like that at JSAI.
Mr. Miyamoto (RSJ)
As both chairmen said in the conversation, I think it would be nice if there was a future where JSAI and RSJ would be together. It is an article that feels the need for such a cross-sectional relationship.
–It is very important to understand the relationship between AI research and robot research. Thank you for today!
The Japanese Society for Artificial Intelligence, Journal of the Japanese Society for Artificial Intelligence, May 2021
In the May 2021 issue, in addition to the “Article The Japan Society for Artificial Intelligence (JSAI) x Robotics Society (RSJ) Collaboration Project (Interview between the two chairmen)” introduced this time,
- Special Issue “Application of Artificial Intelligence in Finance”
- Special Feature “Aspirations and Recommendations from the Editorial Board 2021”
- Lecture Series “AI Philosophy Map” (2)
etc. have been taken up.
As seen in the FinTech boom, which is the fusion of finance and information technology, the use of AI in the field of finance is currently progressing, and the special feature “Application of artificial intelligence in finance” is also noteworthy.
The technology has become extremely sophisticated, such as machine learning, text mining, and market forecasts and detailed simulations that utilize alternative data used for investment decisions. The latest research and the potential of AI in the asset management business are published.
We asked Mr. Kiyota, editor-in-chief of ” Artificial Intelligence “, to comment on his thoughts on the May issue.
Mr. Kiyota: As discussed in the interviews between the presidents of JSAI and RSJ, the roles expected of academic societies are changing dramatically, and societies are being called upon to change their own ways accordingly. There is no one right answer to what an academic society should be, and it is necessary to go through a process of trial and error to find out what kind of support is most effective so that members can work freely.
In the May issue, for the first time in four years, we have planned a special essay ” Aspirations and Proposals from the Editors 2021 ” in order to give everyone an opportunity to think about what the society should be like. We received 24 articles from a variety of perspectives, including peer review methods and the need for a Japanese journal, and received a great response on social media. We would like to make use of the opinions we received to transform academic journals and journals.
The special feature “Application of Artificial Intelligence in Finance” introduces cutting-edge initiatives in the financial field that have undergone major changes over the past decade. The Japanese Society for Artificial Intelligence established the Financial Informatics Research Group (SIG-FIN) in 2008 and has been conducting active research activities. If you are interested, please consider participating.
The second lecture series “AI Philosophy Map” welcomes Professor Shigeru Taguchi (philosopher) of Hokkaido University CHAIN and Professor Atsushi Tani (neural network researcher) of Okinawa Institute of Technology, born at the intersection of science and philosophy. We talked about new value. I think that the online dialogue connecting the three bases of Hokkaido, Okinawa, and Tokyo was possible because it was under the corona crisis. We will continue to deliver content that will satisfy your intellectual curiosity, so please look forward to it.
Robots are currently playing an active role in various places such as manufacturing, construction sites, and homes. As AI installed in robots becomes more sophisticated in the future, all industries and our lives will change.
And it is always humans who give purpose to these machines and robots. Robots move according to the given purpose and realize and support things that humans cannot do. In this way, it is important for the society of the future to develop technologies that understand the roles and strengths of humans, robots, and AI, and make the most of each other.
Through this joint interview, I realized that robots and AI are inseparable fields as research progresses in the future. If knowledge sharing and joint research between the two academic societies progress through this collaboration project, it may lead to further discoveries and the birth of robots that change our daily lives.
