The Japanese Cabinet has approved a bill to revise the law to build a so-called “super city,” where the latest technologies for urban living will be tested. The government hopes to pass the bill within the next few months.
Establishing such a “super city” is seen as key to driving innovation for what is being called “a fourth industrial revolution.” Artificial intelligence is central to this strategy.
The new bill says that when local governments want to ease regulations to try out new technologies, the central government must study the changes, and release its findings.
This comes after Toyota Motor said last month it plans to build a prototype city, where it will develop and test AI-based services and self-driving vehicles.
The city will be a kind of “living laboratory,” where people immerse themselves in AI, and cars drive themselves. Over 2,000 people are expected to eventually live in the city.