Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) and Preferred Networks, Inc. (PFN) announced that they entered into a capital and business alliance agreement. The two companies announced an initial business alliance(Note) to jointly develop cutting-edge AI technologies to enhance the intelligence and autonomy of machinery and systems across mission-critical domains, including social infrastructure and national security. This capital and business alliance agreement establishes a robust cooperative framework to advance MHI and PFN's joint development over the medium to long term. Under the agreement, MHI will underwrite shares issued by PFN through a third-party allotment and invest a total of 10 billion yen in PFN, accelerating the joint development, subject to the completion of all necessary procedures, including approvals at PFN's general meeting of shareholders.
Amid increasingly complex societal challenges, including shifting global dynamics, labor shortages, and aging social infrastructure, demand is growing to deploy advanced AI in mission-critical domains such as social infrastructure and national security. These domains require high reliability and rapid responsiveness to enhance resilience and ensure safety and security. Applying AI in mission-critical domains requires a deep understanding and control of AI mechanisms, securely integrated with field operations, equipment and control systems. Furthermore, to ensure that Japan can proactively and stably leverage AI technologies independently from the external environment, accumulating AI technologies, data, and operational expertise domestically is increasingly vital.
Deploying AI effectively under these conditions requires deep expertise in operational sites, equipment and control systems in mission-critical domains, alongside a technological foundation that supports everything from AI development to deployment and operation.
MHI has provided and operated resilient, safe, and secure machinery and systems for decades across sectors such as social infrastructure, aerospace, defense, and space. The company has brought technologies and expertise in design, manufacturing, control, simulation and maintenance, along with data linked to on-site situations and conditions, backed by operational field data and deep customer trust.
PFN internally develops a full stack of technologies for AI, ranging from AI chips, computing infrastructure, and generative AI foundation models to products and solutions. Centered on homegrown technologies, PFN has deployed safe and sustainable AI technologies across diverse industrial environments.
Through this capital and business alliance, the two companies will combine their technologies and expertise to accelerate joint R&D and real-world deployment of intelligent, autonomous machinery and systems for social infrastructure and national security, where high reliability and rapid responsiveness are required. As partners moving forward together, MHI and PFN share a mindset of being agile, fast, and constantly evolving without being bound by existing frameworks. Together, the two companies aim to create new value and contribute to the maintenance and development of a safe and secure society.
