by Editor BGF | Mar 29, 2025 | Shinzo Abe Initiative for Peace and Security, News
Opening Remarks of Governor Michael Dukakis at the 4th Shinzo Abe Conference, March 28, 2025
Good morning, distinguished guests, friends, and colleagues. It is an honor to address you today at the 4th Shinzo Abe Conference. I regret that I cannot join you in person in Tokyo, but I am with you in spirit, and I am delighted that Nguyen Anh Tuan, Co-Chair and CEO of the Boston Global Forum, is there to represent us and engage with you directly. I would also like to extend a warm greeting to Minoru Kiuchi, Japan’s Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy, who joins us as a distinguished speaker today. Your leadership in advancing science and technology is vital to the conversations we are having here, and we are grateful for your presence.
We gather today to celebrate the legacy of a truly remarkable leader, Shinzo Abe. Prime Minister Abe was not only a visionary statesman but also a great friend of the Boston Global Forum. His dedication to peace, security, and global cooperation earned him the prestigious World Leader for Peace and Security Award—an honor that reflects his extraordinary contributions to making our world a better place. His leadership continues to inspire us, and this conference stands as a testament to his enduring impact.
Today, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment. The world is changing rapidly, driven by the transformative power of artificial intelligence. This revolution touches every aspect of our lives—how we work, how we connect, how we govern. With such profound change comes a critical responsibility for governments to adapt, to reform, and to reimagine how we serve our citizens. Our mission is clear: to harness these advancements to make our people happier, our societies more peaceful, and our world safer. This is not just an opportunity—it is an urgent necessity.
At this very important moment, we must commit to building a better world together. One promising solution lies in the concept of the AI World Society Government 24/7—an innovative framework that leverages AI to enhance governance, ensuring it is responsive, transparent, and accessible around the clock. This vision aligns with the values Shinzo Abe championed: progress, stability, and a deep commitment to the well-being of all. I invite you—leaders, thinkers, and innovators—to join us in building AIWS Government 24/7, a model for the future that can reshape how we lead and serve.
While I cannot be with you in Tokyo, I am thrilled that Nguyen Anh Tuan will carry this message forward. His presence at this conference highlights a significant trip to Japan, which began on March 24, 2025, during which he has engaged with government leaders, business visionaries, distinguished scholars, and outstanding students, as well as participated in key political events. The mission of his trip is to advance the AIWS and Shinzo Abe Initiative, fostering deeper connections between Japan and the United States, and amplifying Japan’s vital role on the global stage through the AIWS Government 24/7 initiative.
Let us seize this moment to honor Shinzo Abe’s legacy—not just with words, but with action. Together, we can forge a future that reflects his vision: a world of peace, security, and shared prosperity. I am confident that, with your leadership and collaboration—including the insights of Minister Kiuchi and so many others here—we will succeed. Thank you for your dedication, your ideas, and your partnership. Let us move forward with purpose and unity to create the future our citizens deserve. 
by Editor BGF | Mar 22, 2025 | News
The 4th Shinzo Abe Conference, held at The Okura Tokyo and hosted by the Boston Global Forum (BGF) under the theme “Government 24/7: AI and Finance Platforms,” will conclude with the groundbreaking Tokyo Accord for Government 24/7: AI and Finance Platforms. “Government 24/7: AI and Finance Platforms” envisions a future where artificial intelligence (AI) powers a platform to assist government work and serve citizens 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, while a finance platform, also operating 24/7, supports public services and citizens. This finance platform will innovate and reform financial systems using AI, digital tools, and quantum computing, ensuring efficiency and resilience. Building on Shinzo Abe’s legacy of innovation and stability, this pioneering framework harnesses AI platforms for continuous governance and integrates financial systems, positioning Japan as a leader in ethical AI and economic advancement.
Speakers (by Alphabet):
Dukakis, Michael, Former Governor of Massachusetts, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of Boston Global Forum
Jonen, Tsukasa, Economic Commentator
Kanehara, Nobukatsu, Executive Director, The Sasakawa Peace Foundation; Professor, Doshisha University; The Inaugural Deputy Secretary-General of the National Security Secretariat
Kano, Takehiro, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Delegate of Japan to UNESCO
Kiuchi, Minoru, Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy
Matsuo, Yutaka, Professor from Tokyo University (AI)
Moreno, Elisabeth, Former French Minister, Representative of BGF France and Africa
Nakayama, Yasuhide, Representative of BGF Japan and Taiwan; Former State Minister of Defense, Former State Minister of Foreign Affairs
Nguyen, Tuan, BGF Co-Chair and CEO
Pentland, Alex, MIT and Stanford Professor
Poort, Joris, CEO, Rescale
Tang, Audrey, The First Minister for Digital Affairs, Republic of China
Yano, Kazuo, Fellow of Hitachi, Ltd. (AI)
Agenda
Date: March 28, 2025, 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM (Japan Time)
Venue: The Okura Tokyo, 2-10-4, 6F, Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Language: English
Moderator: Soichiro Chiba, Chairman of Thousandleaf, Y7/Y20 Chairman
9:30 AM – Start
- Introduction
Nobue Mita, Special Assistant to the Chairman of Boston Global Forum (BGF)
- Opening Remarks:
Honoring Abe’s Vision: Powering a Peaceful World with Government 24/7
Governor Michael Dukakis, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of Boston Global Forum
Shinzo Abe’s Living Legacy: AIWS Government 24/7 for a Peaceful World
Nguyen Anh Tuan, Co-Chair and CEO of Boston Global Forum (BGF)
9:50 AM – Keynote Speech
- “Japan and AIWS Government 24/7”
Minoru Kiuchi, Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy, Japan
10:00 AM – Presentations
- “Leveraging AI Platforms for AIWS Government 24/7”
Kazuo Yano, Fellow, Hitachi, Ltd. (AI Expert)
- “Building AI Agents for Government 24/7”
Joris Poort, CEO, Rescale
- “AI and Government 24/7″
Yutaka Matsuo, Professor, University of Tokyo
- “UNESCO’s Perspective on Government 24/7”
Takehiro Kano, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Delegate of Japan to UNESCO
- “Taiwan’s View on AIWS Government 24/7 Platforms”
Audrey Tang, The First Minister for Digital Affairs, Republic of China (Online)
- “AI Guardians for Government 24/7”
Nobukatsu Kanehara, Executive Director, Sasakawa Peace Foundation; Professor, Doshisha University
- “Data-Driven Finance: Powering Government 24/7 with Trust and Transparency”
Alex Pentland, MIT and Stanford Professor
- Building a Finance Platform for Government 24/7,
Elisabeth Moreno, Former French Minister, Representative of BGF France and Africa
- “The Abe Financial AI Protocol: A Platform for Fraud Detection, Fiscal Transparency, and Sustainable Growth”
Yasuhide Nakayama, Representative of BGF Japan and Taiwan; Former State Minister of Defense and Foreign Affairs
- “The Financial Role in Government 24/7 Platforms”
Soichiro Chiba, Chairman, Thousandleaf; Y7/Y20 Chairman
10:50 AM – Break
11:00 AM – Discussion
11:55 AM – Announcement
- “Tokyo Accord for Government 24/7: AI and Finance Platforms”
Nguyen Anh Tuan, Yasuhide Nakayama, Speakers of the Event, the Enlightenment in Action Alliance (EAA) and Nobue Mita
12:00 PM – Concluding, Nguyen Anh Tuan
by Editor BGF | Mar 22, 2025 | Shinzo Abe Initiative for Peace and Security, News
The Boston Global Forum (BGF) is honored to introduce two distinguished leaders among those attending and speaking at the 4th Shinzo Abe Conference: Japanese Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy Minoru Kiuchi and BGF Co-Chair and CEO Nguyen Anh Tuan, highlighted by distinguished writers in this official publication of the 4th Shinzo Abe Conference.
Minister Minoru Kiuchi: Bridging Innovation and Governance at the 4th Shinzo Abe Conference – An Official Spotlight
Minoru Kiuchi serves as Japan’s Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy in the Ishiba Cabinet, a position he assumed on October 1, 2024, under Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. A veteran member of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the House of Representatives, Kiuchi represents Shizuoka Prefecture’s 7th District, having been elected seven times since 2003. With a distinguished career spanning diplomacy and politics, he brings a wealth of experience to his current portfolio, which also includes responsibilities for Economic Security, the “Cool Japan” Strategy, Intellectual Property Strategy, and Space Policy.
Please see full here
Nguyen Anh Tuan, Architect of AI Innovation and Global Enlightenment
Nguyen Anh Tuan is a visionary leader and innovator who has used his deep understanding of global technology, media, and governance to look forward to a world governed by a social contract of promise and possibility. He serves as the Co-Chair and CEO of the Boston Global Forum (BGF), co-founded in 2012 with former Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis.
BGF has emerged as a “think and do” tank dedicated to fostering peace, security, and innovation through international collaboration, particularly at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, political exchange, and cultural exchange. It is a mission Tuan personifies; in other capacities he is a Distinguished Member of the Wilson Center’s Institute for Strategic Competition Steering Committee, co-founder of the Michael Dukakis Institute for Leadership and Innovation (MDI) and of the AI World Society (AIWS) Initiative, launched with Governor Dukakis in 2017, to advance ethical AI development. His AIWS Government 24/7 Initiative—envisioning AI-driven governance with governments serving citizens 24/7—earned him the title of Person of the Year 2018 from Vietnam National Television (VTV). In January 2025, Nguyen Anh Tuan was honored with the UNGSII Award at Davos, recognizing his outstanding leadership and contributions to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through AI innovation.
Please see full here
by Editor BGF | Mar 22, 2025 | News
US President Donald Trump has held what he described as a “very good” hour-long phone call with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, a day after speaking to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.
Zelensky said afterwards that he believed that “lasting peace can be achieved this year” under Trump’s leadership.
Possible US ownership of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants was also discussed, the White House said, though this has been ruled out by Zelensky.
The tone of the call seems to be in contrast to Zelensky’s visit to the White House last month, in which the two leaders – along with US Vice-President JD Vance.
Wednesday marked the first time the two men have spoken since that Oval Office meeting – although since then, their teams have met in Saudi Arabia and negotiated a proposed 30-day ceasefire.
While it is backed by Ukraine and the US, Putin rejected the proposal for a widespread pause in the conflict during his phone call with the US president on Tuesday.
See full here: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62k1w7z5rro
by Editor BGF | Mar 22, 2025 | News, Shaping Futures
Mark Kennedy, Member of BGF Board of Thinkers
As submitted to the Office of Science and Technology Policy in response to a Request For Information asking for input for their upcoming US AI Action Plan
Action Steps to Strengthen US AI Leadership and Economic Competitiveness
- Invest in AI Talent Pipeline– China graduates twicethe number of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) PhDs as the US. With the US ranking near the bottom in the percentage of graduates pursuing STEM fields, it has long relied on attracting the world’s best and brightest. Visas for Chinese students and academics have fallen by two-thirds since peaking in 2015. A recent surge in students from India is taking up some of the slack. It is important that policies and a welcoming environment continue to attract the global AI talent essential to US tech leadership while also investing more in STEM education for American students.
- Provide Access to High-Performance Compute Power– Establish a national AI compute network to support research universities. Increase domestic semiconductor production and high-performance computing (HPC) resources to support AI research and private-sector innovation. Gain a decisive lead in emerging technologies that promise faster and greener compute power, such as optical computing (using laser light waves), neuromorphic computing (modeled after systems in the human brain), and quantum computing (using subatomic particles).
- Secure Data– Secure access to unbiased, high-quality data for US AI researchers. Consider which datasets should be restricted from strategic competitors. Counter China’s growing control over the data flowing through global telecommunications (Huawei, ZTE) and logistics (LOGINK) software, while promoting secure, US-aligned alternatives.
- Fund Research– Fully fund research as authorized in the CHIPS and Science Act, prioritizing AI and other technologies that will shape tomorrow like quantum, biotech and nanotechnology. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), China recently overtook the US in research funding at universities and government entities. Unless funding trends are reversed China will soon overtake the US in total research funding. The US must ensure American institutions remain the world’s AI research hubs.
- Invest in AI for Economic Competitiveness– Support AI-driven innovation across key industries (healthcare, manufacturing, energy, finance) by incentivizing AI adoption in small businesses and expanding AI-driven workforce training programs. The goal should be for AI to enhance productivity and job creation to ensure continued opportunities for American workers.
Action Steps to Address AI’s Societal Risks
- Strengthen AI Transparent Government Use– Promote AI usage to provide 24/7 government services in a transparent manner, enhancing the availability and ease of accessing government services while maintaining trust and accountability.
- Combat AI-Powered Disinformation While Preserving Free Speech –Work with AI firms to advance voluntary content labeling, misinformation detection, and deepfake protections—without empowering censorship frameworks that could restrict political discourse.
Please see full here: https://bostonglobalforum.org/publication/14916/
and https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/strategic-vision-us-ai-leadership-supporting-security-innovation-democracy-and-global
