by Editor BGF | Feb 23, 2025 | AI Action Summit, News
At the AI Action Summit Paris, during the session “Government 24/7 – How AI Might Best Transform Governance” on February 11, 2025, Boston Global Forum (BGF) Co-chair and CEO Nguyen Anh Tuan, along with former French Minister Elisabeth Moreno, BGF Representative in France and Africa, Honorable Mark Kennedy, Director of the Wilson Center’s Wahba Institute for Strategic Competition of the Wilson Center, former Japanese Minister Sanae Takaichi, former Japanese State Minister Yasuhide Nakayama, and Harvard Professor Thomas Patterson, introduced and discussed AIWS Government 24/7 and the Creating a New Paris of Enlightenment initiative.
This initiative serves as a special tribute to President Emmanuel Macron and the people of France, offering strategies and solutions to leapfrog in AI and position France at the forefront of AI innovation, even in the face of limited resources and investments in AI., envisioning a transformative era where AI-driven governance and humanistic values merge to create a New Paris of Enlightenment.
Official Version of Creating a New Paris of Enlightenment
For the full official version, please view and download here
by Editor BGF | Feb 23, 2025 | World Leader for Peace and Security, News, World Leaders in AIWS Award Updates
French President Emmanuel Macron, 2024 World Leader for Peace and Security Award recipient, said on Thursday Feb 20, he will travel to Washington to try to convince President Donald Trump that his interests were in line with European allies and that showing any weakness to Russia’s Vladimir Putin would make it harder to deal with China and Iran.
“Trump, I know him. I respect him and I believe he respects me,” Macron said during a one-hour question and answer session on social media. “I will tell him: deep down you cannot be weak in the face of President (Vladimir Putin). It’s not you, it’s not what you’re made of and it’s not in your interests.”
Macron said the uncertainty in how Trump was handling Russia’s three-year-old invasion of Ukraine was worrying for U.S. allies because he could negotiate something that was insufficient, but it was also creating uncertainty for Putin and this was something that needed to be used to help negotiations.
“The word is uncertainty. Donald Trump creates uncertainty among others because he wants to make deals, so Donald Trump creating uncertainty for Vladimir Putin is a good thing,” Macron said, adding that the Russian president did not know what Trump would do or how he could act.
President Macron is due to go to Washington on Monday to hold talks with Trump as Europeans seek to ensure they play a key role in negotiations to end the conflict and outline how they plan to provide security guarantees for Ukraine should there be a ceasefire.
https://www.reuters.com/world/macron-says-he-will-tell-trump-not-be-weak-with-putin-washington-visit-2025-02-20/
by Editor BGF | Feb 23, 2025 | News
February 24, 2025, marks three years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a moment that reshaped global geopolitics and reaffirmed Ukraine’s unyielding spirit. Since February 24, 2022, President Volodymyr Zelensky has led the Ukrainian people with bravery and strategic acumen, defending their homeland against an aggressive invasion. Backed by strong support from the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom, Ukraine has demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of adversity.
The international community has widely condemned Russia for its actions, imposing severe sanctions and political isolation. Ukraine’s fight for sovereignty has not only been a military struggle but also a defining moment in defending democracy and international law.
In recognition of President Zelensky’s leadership and the courage of the Ukrainian people, the Boston Global Forum (BGF) honored President Zelensky and all Ukrainians with the 2022 World Leader for Peace and Security Award at Harvard University’s Loeb House in April 2022. This award acknowledged Ukraine’s unwavering stand for peace, freedom, and security in the face of aggression.
As the war enters its third year, Ukraine remains determined, continuing to inspire the world with its strength, resilience, and commitment to democracy. Now, the world must find solutions to stop the war, support Ukraine in achieving sustainable peace, and aid in rebuilding the country. Additionally, Russia must be held responsible for the damage inflicted upon Ukraine.
by Editor BGF | Feb 23, 2025 | News, Shaping Futures
Microsoft today introduced Majorana 1, the world’s first quantum chip powered by a new Topological Core architecture that it expects will realize quantum computers capable of solving meaningful, industrial-scale problems in years, not decades.
It leverages the world’s first topoconductor, a breakthrough type of material which can observe and control Majorana particles to produce more reliable and scalable qubits, which are the building blocks for quantum computers.
In the same way that the invention of semiconductors made today’s smartphones, computers and electronics possible, topoconductors and the new type of chip they enable offer a path to developing quantum systems that can scale to a million qubits and are capable of tackling the most complex industrial and societal problems, Microsoft said.
Please read full at:
https://news.microsoft.com/source/features/innovation/microsofts-majorana-1-chip-carves-new-path-for-quantum-computing/
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/19/technology/microsoft-quantum-computing-topological-qubit.html
by Editor BGF | Feb 23, 2025 | Shinzo Abe Initiative for Peace and Security, News
AI Action Summit Conference
Paris, February 10-11, 2025
Session: Government 24/7: How AI Might Best Transform Governance
Yasuhide NAKAYAMA,
Former State Minister of Defense, Former State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Former State Minister for the Cabinet Office of JAPAN
Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished leaders, policymakers, and innovators,
It is a great honor to speak at this important summit. First, I sincerely regret that I cannot be with you in Paris today.
As the representative of BGF in Japan and Taiwan, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Audrey Tang for receiving this prestigious award.
Originally, I had planned to attend this summit alongside Sanae Takaichi, but unfortunately, I could not adjust my schedule as I had hoped. Instead, I am joining remotely from Japan.
This moment brings back special memories for me. From 1986 to 1989, I lived in Alsace, France, during my high school years. Those three years shaped my worldview and gave me a deep appreciation for France—its culture, its people, and, of course, its fantastic wine.
So, while I am honored to join you virtually, I must admit—I truly wish I were in France, enjoying a fine glass of Alsace wine with you!
AI: A Necessity for Modern Governance
Now, let me turn to today’s main topic: AI-driven governance that operates 24/7.
AI is transforming every aspect of our societies—politics, the economy, and security. But AI is not just a tool. It is a force that is reshaping the global balance of power.
The 20th-century Cold War has evolved into a 21st-century struggle between democracy and authoritarianism. And AI is at the center of this competition.
But let’s be clear: No side is guaranteed victory forever.
Like a Hollywood movie, the day may come when AI surpasses human intelligence, creating technologies beyond our imagination—autonomous weapons, ultra-intelligent computers, and self-evolving algorithms.
What if AI starts making decisions without human control? What if it turns against us?
If that day comes, we can only hope for a Hollywood-style happy ending.
But instead of relying on hope, we must act now to prevent this scenario.
That is why governments, businesses, engineers, and civil society must work together to create clear, ethical, and enforceable AI regulations.
Three Key Priorities for AI Governance
To ensure that AI serves humanity—and does not control it—I propose three essential commitments:
1️⃣ AI for National and Cybersecurity
AI enhances crisis response but can also be weaponized. International cooperation is essential to prevent AI-driven cyber warfare and ensure security.
2️⃣ Human-Centric AI Governance
AI should support decision-making, not replace it. Policies must protect privacy, uphold democratic values, and prioritize human dignity.
3️⃣ Global Collaboration on AI Ethics and Standards
No country can govern AI alone. We need a global AI governance alliance to ensure transparency, accountability, and ethical development.
AI Governance: A Shared Responsibility
In Japan, AI is a growing topic of interest. I have received many invitations to arrange lectures by AI experts. However, there is a shortage of recognized specialists, and many people are unsure who truly qualifies as an expert.
I recently read an interview with an AI engineer who said:
“When AI-powered military weapons are activated, it is not the role of scientists to decide how they are used.”
This statement highlights an important truth:
AI governance is not just for engineers or scientists. It is a responsibility for all of society.
Ethical considerations, risk assessment, and governance structures must be put in place with a sense of urgency. And these rules must evolve alongside AI technology.
A Call to Action
Now is the time for humanity to shape the rules that will govern AI.
We must act swiftly to ensure safety, seek broad international consensus, and prevent AI from spiraling out of control.
If we hesitate, we risk losing control of our own future.
Let us work together to build secure, ethical, and human-centered AI governance.
The future of AI-driven government depends on the choices we make today.
Thank you.
Yasuhide NAKAYAMA
Former State Minister of Defense, Former State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Former State Minister for the Cabinet Office of JAPAN
Paris, February 11, 2025
