NTT Research Launches New “Physics of Artificial Intelligence” Group to Address AI’s Black Box Challenge

NTT Research has announced the launch of its new Physics of Artificial Intelligence Group, an independent initiative spun out from its Physics & Informatics (PHI) Lab. The group was introduced as part of a broader unveiling at NTT’s Upgrade 2025 innovation summit, reflecting growing global interest in building safer, more trustworthy AI systems.

Led by NTT Research Scientist Dr. Hidenori Tanaka, an expert in physics, neuroscience, and machine learning, the group seeks to demystify the “black box” nature of artificial intelligence—particularly how AI models learn, process information, and make decisions. The group builds on five years of foundational work by the PHI Lab and continues a close collaboration with academic institutions, including Harvard University’s Center for Brain Science, Princeton University, and Stanford University.

The new group’s mission is threefold: to deepen understanding of AI’s internal mechanisms; to create experimentally controllable learning environments for AI, inspired by physics methodologies; and to bridge the trust gap between AI systems and human users. The aim is not just technical insight but also ethical AI integration, achieved through transparency rather than reactive fine-tuning.

NTT Research’s previous work includes a widely cited neural network pruning algorithm, a bias-removal technique for large language models recognized by NIST, and new studies into how AI forms conceptual understanding. The group’s research could influence future designs of more natural, efficient AI systems by leveraging similarities between biological intelligence and artificial neural networks.

As AI’s influence continues to expand across sectors, from healthcare to infrastructure, NTT Research President and CEO Kazu Gomi emphasized the importance of trust and ethics in AI development. “The new group aims to demystify concerns and bias around AI solutions to create a harmonious path forward for the coexistence of AI and humanity,” he said.

With strong interdisciplinary foundations and bold ambitions, the Physics of Artificial Intelligence Group represents a significant step forward in shaping the next generation of intelligent, ethical, and transparent AI technologies.

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