The technology world has a lengthy track record of game-changing innovations generated by research labs, ranging from transistors and hard drives to the graphical user interface, which made it possible for humans to interact with computers without having to write code.

The Japanese telecom company NTT Ltd. is now seeking to follow in those same footsteps with a research lab it opened in 2019 in Silicon Valley. The NTT Research lab aims to develop technologies for cryptographic and information security, quantum and neuro-science computing, and healthcare informatics. The company, which spends about $3.6 billion each year on R&D, is hosting its virtual Upgrade 2020 – The NTT Research Summit from September 28–October 1. In attendance will be prominent academics and scientists to see presentations on emerging new technologies.

“Emerging technologies have a way of looking futuristic, until they’re not,” said Kazuhiro Gomi, president and chief executive officer of NTT Research, in a July post. “Then, after a certain tipping point, it becomes hard to recall life without them.”

TheCUBE will talk with NTT executives during the Upgrade 2020 event, discussing progress on bleeding-edge technology for neural networks, cryptography and informatics, NTT Research’s role within its parent company, and future plans for innovation. (* Disclosure below.)

NTT dives into futuristic computing technology research

Cryptography and quantum computing are two markets with a significant potential for growth, with global quantum computing projected to triple to $283 million within four years and the encryption software or cryptography market set to expand about 17% each year through 2025.

Computer engineers predict that quantum computer mainstream application is still a few years away, but NTT Research is interested in use cases for the technology in areas such as machine learning and artificial intelligence.

“Quantum technologies are a good fit for some types of machine learning, such as image and speech recognition,” said Gomi, writing in a post this month. “Built for nodes analogous to neurons in a biological brain, artificial neural networks ‘learn’ by iteratively processing examples containing known inputs and results.”

With regard to cryptography, NTT Research is interested in blockchain and the use of attribution for secure access. In fact, NTT Research signed a pair of joint agreements earlier this year with Georgetown University and UCLA to explore theoretical cryptographic elements along with creating a blockchain testbed. In August, NTT also signed a similar agreement with Stanford University.

“The biggest game-changers are unexpected breakthroughs that surprise everyone,” said Gomi, who was quoted in a story on cryptography earlier this month. “Generally speaking, the advances in cryptography we have seen over the past few years have been incredibly helpful, enabling commerce to grow exponentially and protecting communications between individuals.”

Another primary facet of NTT’s research is in the healthcare field. The company has begun a “bio-digital twin” initiative and research into the use of nanosensor technology. And in collaboration with the Technical University of Munich, the company is opening an office in Munich, Germany, to support additional healthcare tech research.

“Biological digital twins clearly fall into the not-yet-arrived category,” said Gomi in a post from this past July. “As someone overseeing basic research in this area, I know we are far removed from widespread adoption of virtual alter egos or their use by the medical profession. But this bold vision is grounded on real technologies and historical trends.”

Livestream of Upgrade 2020 – The NTT Research Summit digital event

Upgrade 2020 is a livestream event with additional interviews to be broadcast on theCUBE. You can register for free here to access the live coverage. You can also watch it on demand on theCUBE’s dedicated page and YouTube channel. (* Disclosure below.)

How to watch theCUBE interviews

We offer you various ways to watch the live coverage of the Upgrade 2020 digital event, including theCUBE’s dedicated website and YouTube channel. You can also get all the coverage from this year’s events on SiliconANGLE.

TheCUBE Insights podcast

SiliconANGLE also has podcasts available of archived interview sessions, available on iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify, which you can enjoy while on the go.

Guests who will be interviewed on theCUBE during the Upgrade 2020 digital event

Guests who will be interviewed on theCUBE during the Upgrade 2020 digital event include Alex Bennett, global senior vice president of intelligent workplace at NTT Ltd.; Kazuhiro Gomi, president and chief executive officer of NTT Research Inc.; Yoshihisa Yamamoto, professor of electrical engineering, emeritus, at Stanford University; Eric Clark, chief digital officer at NTT DATA Services; and Mary Edwards, president of the NTT DATA Services Healthcare Provider practice.

(* Disclosure: TheCUBE is a paid media partner for the Upgrade 2020 digital event. NTT Research, the sponsor for theCUBE’s event coverage, nor other sponsors have editorial control over content on theCUBE or SiliconANGLE.)

Photo: SiliconANGLE