The Japanese government plans to release guidelines to ensure the safe use of generative AI as early as March, in line with the expected rapid uptake of the technology this year.

A number of generative AI platforms developed by Japanese companies are expected to go into service in 2024.

Telecom giant NTT’s “tsuzumi” platform is set for release for business use in March.

“Cotomi,” developed for corporate clients by leading electronics firm NEC, will become available around the same time.

And SoftBank aims to complete one of the largest AI models in Japan by the year-end.

US firms have dominated generative AI since the launch of ChatGPT in 2022 by California-based OpenAI.

President Joe Biden signed an executive order last year setting rigorous standards for pre-release testing. The European Union is also working to tighten rules, including penalties for misuse.