Cambridge, MA – March 11, 2025 – A historic roundtable at Harvard University Faculty Club celebrated 30 years of normalized Vietnam-U.S. relations, uniting leaders from film, academia, government, and innovation to shape cinema’s future in the AI era. Hosted by the Boston Global Forum (BGF), Harvard University, the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, and the Vietnam Film Development Association (VFDA), the event—”Humanity and Compassion in Vietnamese Film and Contributions to the AI World Society”—ignited groundbreaking partnerships and a shared vision for AI-driven storytelling.
A Day of Insightful Dialogue
Professor Thomas Patterson of Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government opened with warm introductions, paving the way for vibrant discussions. Key speakers included Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations; Governor Michael Dukakis, Former Governor of Massachusetts and BGF Co-Chair; and Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan, VFDA Chairwoman, whose keynote captivated attendees.
Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan traced Vietnam’s cinematic ascent, stating, “In the past five years, our films have earned global acclaim, with box office revenues in the tens of millions. The revised Cinema Law has welcomed foreign crews, yet our success lies in reflecting Vietnamese identity—patriotism, family values, and compassion, even toward former enemies.” Her insights, rooted in her 2007 book Modernity and Nationality in Vietnamese Cinema, highlighted a fusion of growth and authenticity.
Ambassador Giang emphasized film’s unifying power, saying, “It’s an honor to represent Vietnam here. This collaboration with BGF and Harvard explores film, humanity, and technology. Vietnamese cinema mirrors our history and soul, and AI can enhance it while preserving emotional depth.” He cast the Vietnam-U.S. partnership as a bridge of empathy and creativity.
Governor Dukakis welcomed guests warmly, noting, “Today, Vietnam and the USA stand as comprehensive strategic partners, marking 30 years of progress. This milestone launches deeper collaboration.” He unveiled the AIWS Film Park—a pioneering hub linking Vietnam with Boston, New York, and Hollywood—the Friends of Vietnam-U.S. Film Collaboration, and plans to promote the Da Nang Asian Film Festival, envisioning a future enriched by technology and mutual understanding.
Notable Attendees and Initiatives
Attendees included Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang; Nguyen Hoang Nguyen, Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN; Meg Montagnino-Jarrett, Massachusetts Film Office Director; Angela Peri, Boston Casting Founder; and Matthew Salloway, Filmmaker and CEO of GSI Ventures. Academics and filmmakers featured Tony Bui (Columbia University), MIT’s Robert Desimone and Nazli Choucri, and Harvard’s Jeff Saviano and Sara Archambault of the Shorenstein Center.
Key initiatives announced:
AIWS Film Park: A hybrid hub in a beautiful Vietnamese city, blending natural and AI studios to connect global creators with Boston, New York, and Hollywood.
Friends of Vietnam-U.S. Film Collaboration: A program uniting figures like Dukakis, Cameron Kerry, and Ngo Phuong Lan to foster film ties.
Da Nang Asian Film Festival: Plans to elevate its profile in Boston and beyond.
Nguyen Anh Tuan, BGF Co-Chair and CEO, closed with optimism: “Today marks a new chapter—the AIWS Film Park, launched amid 30 years of Vietnam-U.S. relations, has earned support from Harvard, MIT, Columbia, UCLA, and Boston’s distinguished figures. Our Friends of Vietnam-U.S. Film Collaboration unites notable friends here, and including Ambassadors Nguyen Quoc Dung and Dang Hoang Giang, Governor Michael Dukakis, Cameron Kerry, Mark Kennedy, and everyone joining us today. Today’s event continues the momentum of the AI Action Summit held in Paris last month, where the Boston Global Forum co-organized a session with the French government on AIWS Government 24/7—AI-driven governance serving citizens around the clock. This laid the groundwork for our gift, ‘Creating a New Enlightened Paris,’ presented to President Macron and the French people to position France as an AI leader. Today’s outcomes will be shared with President Macron as a legacy of the 2025 AI Action Summit.”
A Legacy and a Future
The roundtable concluded with remarks from Le Vinh Hoa, Director of Harvard’s Vietnamese Language Program, and Nguyen Anh Tuan, followed by a networking dinner. Attendees left inspired, ushering in an era where AI and cinema unite Vietnam and the U.S., blending innovation with humanity.
In an email sent to Agency for Global Media employees, obtained by Reuters and The New York Times, the agency’s human resources director told employees they were being placed on administrative leave with full pay and benefits, until notified otherwise.
The 4th Shinzo Abe Conference, held at The Okura Tokyo on March 28, 2025 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):
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
Nakayama, Yasuhide, Representative of BGF Japan and Taiwan; Former Deputy Minister of Defense, Former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
Nguyen, Tuan, BGF Co-Chair and CEO
Poort, Joris, CEO, Rescale
Tang, Audrey, The First Minister for Digital Affairs, Republic of China
In a primetime address on March 5, 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron, recipient of the BGF World Leader for Peace and Security Award, issued a strong call for a significant European rearmament, emphasizing the urgent need for the continent to bolster its defense capabilities amid rising security threats from Russia. Macron also announced that he would begin consultations with European allies on the potential use of France’s nuclear deterrent as a broader shield for Europe. His remarks signaled a pivotal shift in France’s defense posture and underscored the growing concerns over Europe’s strategic vulnerabilities in the current geopolitical climate.
President Macron received the Plaque of Honor for the “BGF World Leader for Peace and Security Award.”
Co-Chair and CEO, Boston Global Forum BGF Roundtable: “Humanity and Compassion in Vietnamese Film and Contributions to the AI World Society” Harvard University Faculty Club, Cambridge, MA March 11, 2025
My dear friends,
Congratulations on the successful U.S. visit by the Vietnam Film Development Association (VFDA) delegation, led by our esteemed friend Dr. Ngo Phuong Lan, Chairwoman of the Association. The delegation engaged in meaningful events across Hollywood, Washington DC, New York, and Boston, culminating in today’s historic gathering at Harvard University.
Celebrating 30 years of normalized Vietnam-U.S. relations, this event marks a profound milestone: the launch of a pioneering initiative—the AIWS Film Park—to advance cinema through Vietnam-U.S. collaboration. This project will create natural film studios paired with cutting-edge AI technology in a beautiful Vietnamese city. It will be a hub for creators, filmmakers, screenwriters, directors, stars, investors, and producers, linking to Boston, New York, and Hollywood. Today, distinguished figures from Harvard, MIT, and Boston—an intellectual capital of the world—have expressed enthusiastic support for this vision.
We have officially announced the Friends of Vietnam-U.S. Film Collaboration, uniting notable friends in this roundtable, and including Governor Michael Dukakis and Former Acting Secretary of Commerce Cameron Kerry. From Vietnam, we have VFDA Chairwoman Ngo Phuong Lan and our Vietnamese attendees. We warmly welcome Vietnam’s Ambassador to the United States, Nguyen Quoc Dung, and his spouse, Tran Thi Bich Van, as well as Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, to this esteemed group. We will also support and connect the Da Nang Asian Film Festival with Boston.
Ladies and gentlemen, today’s event continues the momentum of the AI Action Summit held in Paris last month, where the Boston Global Forum co-organized a session with the French government on AIWS Government 24/7—AI-driven governance serving citizens around the clock. This laid the groundwork for our gift, “Creating a New Enlightened Paris,” presented to President Macron and the French people to position France as an AI leader. There, I met with President Macron and Prime Minister Trudeau, discussing AI and modern cinema among other topics. The outcomes of today’s roundtable, especially the AIWS Film Park Initiative, will be shared with President Macron and the AI Action Summit organizers as a key result of the 2025 Summit.
Dear friends, as we close this meaningful roundtable, we begin a new chapter of collaboration and historic initiatives. With Boston’s unwavering support, we will turn these noble dreams into reality. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for your presence and invaluable contributions. My thanks go to our partners—Harvard University, the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, and VFDA—for co-organizing this extraordinary event with the Boston Global Forum. I also thank our BGF staff and supporters for making today a resounding success. Together, we embark on a journey to create lasting value. My deepest gratitude to you all.
