Now it's a pull! ? Weapon is "math" March 2 19:24

AI = Artificial intelligence is already used everywhere in our lives, such as answering when talking to a smartphone, optimizing product ordering according to the weather at a convenience store or customer footprint. What kind of human resources are needed in the AI ​​era? --- Maybe a system engineer or a data scientist, but what you really want is a "person who can do mathematics." (Ryusuke Kimura, Economic Department Reporter)

Mathematics is very popular! America

In Japan, mathematics is often shunned as saying, "I don't have a job," "I don't know what is useful." I myself have stopped digging deeply into high school, but I think many people are not good at mathematics.

On the other hand, the situation in the United States, which is leading the AI ​​field, is now completely different from that of Japan. In the United States, "mathematicians" are always in the top positions in job categories that offer good treatment and work environment.

A leading university in California says that the number of students majoring in mathematics has increased fivefold over the past decade.

This is because giant IT companies such as Google, Apple, and Facebook are now actively recruiting mathematics students.

AI is based on mathematics

Why Math? AI requires an “algorithm” that shows the steps of calculation and processing to solve a task, but advanced mathematics is needed to efficiently assemble the algorithm.

Simple programming based on arithmetic operations such as addition and multiplication can take a lot of time, but by incorporating the optimal formula into the algorithm, the time can be dramatically reduced.

"Deep learning" algorithms used in Go software and image recognition are based on the mathematics we learn in high school, such as calculus, matrices, and vectors.

It is said that those who can understand and utilize advanced mathematical formulas can develop breakthrough algorithms that instantly analyze the large amount of data that huge IT companies feed their business and produce accurate results. .

Fast-growing mathematics venture from the University of Tokyo

There are also venture companies in Japan that are attracting attention by attracting mathematical personnel. "Arithmer" was launched by a specially-appointed professor at the University of Tokyo Graduate School in 2016. Of the 110 employees, more than half have doctorate or master's degrees in mathematics and physics, and their main business is to apply modern mathematics to AI.

For example, an app that allows you to measure an accurate suit simply by taking photos from the front, back, left and right using your smartphone. Using the state-of-the-art geometry “topology”, 3D shape is estimated based on 2D images. It is said that it has achieved almost error-free measurement.

In addition, the recognition of damage from a car accident indicates that a car repair estimate can be obtained in a minimum of one second. In order to accurately recognize flaws and dents, a mathematical technique called "ultra-discrete system" is used, which divides the target area into very small parts and makes a distinction.

The company's sales forecast for 2019 will be 800 million yen, which will increase approximately 10 times in two years. It also received capital from major financial institutions and trading companies.

President Ohta: “In the United States and Europe and the United States, there are often about 100 applicants a month. We want to gather human resources who can develop modern mathematics quickly and solve social issues at once.”

Mathematics talent in the game industry

Mathematics talent is also active in the game industry.

Yoichiro Miyake, head of the AI ​​development department at the major game maker "Square Enix". He said that he used to read technical books with difficult mathematical formulas at the pace of one page a day at university in mathematics.

All characters appearing in the game are controlled by AI except players. Advanced analytics are used to determine the best answer from a number of values, such as physical strength, speed, distance, etc., to determine which enemies to attack and whether to go to help when a player is hit. Math is indispensable for the natural movement of the character.

Miyake: "The world of games is where art and technology blend together to a high degree. In developing AI, the importance of basic mathematical skills is now important."

Development of mathematics human resources

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry estimates that 10 years later, in 2030, there will be a shortage of more than 120,000 AI-related personnel. Experts argue that it is now necessary to support young talents who want to study advanced mathematics at college.

Professor, Wakayama, Tokyo University of Science "Children who can do math go to medical school when they are recommended by teachers and parents. There are so many places where you can be active. ''

Japanese mathematics knowledge and application skills are among the best in the world, including the birth of many medalists at the Mathematical Olympiad. Whether or not potential mathematical talents can be widely utilized in society is the key to Japan's recovery in the AI ​​era led by the United States and China.

Ryusuke Kimura, Economic Department Reporter
After joining Fukui Bureau, International Affairs Bureau and Berlin Bureau in 2003, was in charge of the current Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry from 2019