A Japanese startup developing generative AI says US semiconductor giant Nvidia will invest in the company.

Tokyo-based Sakana AI announced on Wednesday that Nvidia will become one of the firm's large shareholders. The startup hasn't disclosed the details of the investment.

Sakana AI COO Ito Ren says, "We want to use the funds from Nvidia to help set up a world-class AI research center in Japan."

Sakana AI hopes the tie-up will speed up its work on generative AI. Some of the startup's founders previously worked in research and development at Google.

Nvidia aims to create chips that better meet demand and has been teaming up with generative AI developers.

IT giants such as Google and Apple are also partnering with startups as the race to develop AI systems heats up.