Delivering high-impact
technology research

Our mission is to generate significant new knowledge
and create innovative solutions.

Data Science & System
Security

We aim to build novel big-data solutions and service
platforms to simplify computer systems management.
We also develop new information technology that
supports innovative applications, from big data
analytics to the Internet of Things.

Integrated Systems

Our goal is to innovate, design, evaluate and deliver parallel computing systems architectures for high-performance, energy-efficient enterprise computing.

Machine Learning

We have been at the forefront of developments in such areas as deep learning, support vector machines and semantic analysis for over a decade.

Media Analytics

Our team overcomes fundamental challenges in computer vision and addresses key needs in mobility, security, safety and socially-relevant AI.

Optical Networking & Sensing

From the Internet backbone to the home, optics and photonics form the foundation of modern ICT infrastructure.

ABOUT US

NEC Laboratories America, Inc. (NEC Labs) is the US-based center for NEC Corporation’s global network of corporate research laboratories. We aspire to perform problem-driven research motivated by fundamental human needs with the intent to remove critical barriers and open new commercial markets. Our diverse research groups collaborate with industry, academia and governments to provide disruptive solutions to complex problems. A leader in the integration of IT and network technologies with more than 100 years of expertise, NEC provides a combination of products and solutions that cross-utilize the company’s experience and global resources to meet the complex and ever-changing needs of its customers.

For more information, visit NEC.

We aim to develop tangible solutions that address real-world challenges and bring about positive change. With a dedicated team of experts, we delve into cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, integrated systems, media analytics, and optical networking.

AREAS OF RESEARCH

We take a multidisciplinary approach to develop innovative solution for a broad range of research areas. Importantly, we engage with NEC business units to use these disruptive solutions to create key differentiation in NEC products and platforms, opening new markets and providing a competitive advantage to NEC Corporation.

We aim to build novel big-data solutions and service platforms to simplify complex systems management. We also develop new information technology that supports innovative applications, from big data analytics to the Internet of Things.

We innovate, design and prototype high-performance intelligent distributed systems, applications and services on communication networks like 5G and beyond. We develop next generation wireless technologies for sensing the world and improving communication networks.

Machine learning is the key technology for data analytics and artificial intelligence. Recent progress in this field opens opportunities for a wide variety of new applications. As leaders in the industry, we develop innovative technologies which are integrated into NEC’s products and services.

We solve fundamental challenges in computer vision, with a focus on understanding and interaction in 3D scenes, representation learning in visual and multimodal data, learning across domains and tasks, as well as responsible AI.

In the optical networking and sensing department, we are leading world-class optics research into the next-generation of optical networks and sensing systems that will power ICT-based social solutions for years to come.

NEWS

NEC Labs America Joins CS3 Advisory Board to Advance Smart Streetscapes

May 19, 2025

NEC Laboratories America has joined the Center for Smart Streetscapes (CS3) Advisory Board, a National Science Foundation–funded initiative advancing urban innovation through technology, data, and design. As a leader in AI, computer vision, and edge computing, NEC Labs America will collaborate with researchers, civic leaders, and industry partners to develop intelligent infrastructure that enhances safety, accessibility, and efficiency in public spaces.

Graph Neural Networks, Explained: Our Role in the Future of AI

April 9, 2025

NEC Laboratories America (NECLA) is advancing the frontier of Graph Neural Networks (GNNs), a transformative AI technology that processes complex, interconnected data. Through innovations like PTDNet for robust learning, novel frameworks for explainability, StrGNN for anomaly detection in dynamic graphs, and GERDQ for calibration with out-of-distribution nodes, NECLA is addressing critical challenges in GNN development. These breakthroughs have real-world implications in fields such as cybersecurity, bioinformatics, and recommendation systems, positioning NECLA as a leader in the evolution of graph-based AI.

Shaping the Future with Responsible AI, Collaboration & Disruption Chris White (2)

Shaping the Future with Responsible AI, Collaboration, and Disruption

April 7, 2025

Chris White, President of NEC Laboratories America, reflects on the lab’s mission to build responsible, human-centered technology—from AI to streetscape innovation—that tackles real-world challenges. In recent keynotes and interviews, he’s emphasized the power of collaboration, the importance of designing AI as a tool that empowers (not replaces), and the discipline required to scale truly disruptive ideas. He’s also shared thoughts on using digital tools for sustainability, such as optimizing global water systems, and the need for cooperative decision-making in complex environments like supply chains. Through it all, he reminds us: real innovation isn’t about flashy tech—it’s about solving meaningful problems, at scale, with intention and integrity.