by Editor BGF | Oct 6, 2024 | Event Updates, News
On October 3, 2024, at the Harvard Club of New York City, the Boston Global Forum (BGF) commenced its High-Level Discussion on Strategies for Democracy to Win in the AI Battle with an opening roundtable. BGF Co-chair and CEO Nguyen Anh Tuan met with former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, a BGF Global Enlightenment Leader, to discuss strategies for democracies to win in the artificial intelligence (AI) economy when competing with dictatorial and totalitarian systems.
Prime Minister Ehud Barak raised the challenges and obstacles that democracies face in this battle and shared his ideas to overcome them. His contributions will be featured in a special report outlining key strategies for democracies to succeed in the AI race.
“We are grateful to Prime Minister Barak for his invaluable input,” said Nguyen Anh Tuan. “His vision sets a strong foundation for our ongoing discussions aimed at empowering democracies in the face of emerging AI challenges.”
The event was attended by distinguished guests, including Ramu Damodaran, Founder and the first Chief of the United Nations Academic Impact and Representative of BGF in New York, along with Ehud Barak’s wife, Nili Priel.
The BGF’s High-Level Discussion on Strategies for Democracy to Win in the AI Battle aims to bring together eminent thinkers, policymakers, and business leaders to formulate actionable strategies that promote democratic AI World Society principles and build a new democracy based on AI. The series will continue with additional roundtables and discussions in the coming months.
by Editor BGF | Sep 29, 2024 | News
Japan’s governing party on Friday September 27, 2024, picked former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba as its leader, setting him up to become prime minister next week.
The party leadership is a ticket to the top job because the Liberal Democratic Party’s governing coalition controls parliament.
Considered a defense policy expert, Ishiba secured a come-from-behind win against Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi, a staunch conservative who hoped to become the country’s first female prime minister.
Reuters comment: “Shigeru Ishiba, tapped to be Japan’s next prime minister, may cause diplomatic headaches for the U.S. with proposals to revamp Tokyo’s closest alliance by locking Washington into an “Asian NATO” and stationing Japanese troops on U.S. soil.
Ishiba, elected leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Friday, outlined his plan in a paper to the Hudson Institute think tank last week. He argues that the changes would deter China from using military force in Asia.”
https://apnews.com/article/japan-election-new-prime-minister-ca3ba06b79c79d5dc534a0d259a7272c
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/incoming-japan-pm-ishibas-asian-nato-idea-test-us-diplomacy-2024-09-27/
by Editor BGF | Sep 29, 2024 | Shinzo Abe Initiative for Peace and Security, News
On September 20, 2024, in Taipei, at the Office of the Friends of Abe Shinzo Association in Taiwan, the Boston Global Forum (BGF) Co-Chair and CEO Nguyen Anh Tuan and Yasuhide Nakayama met with Audrey Tang, Taiwan’s former Minister of Digital Affairs. Mr. Nakayama is the Representative of BGF in Japan and Taiwan and a former State Minister of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Defense. Marlon Yeh, Secretary General of the Friends of Abe Shinzo Association in Taiwan, was also in attendance.
The meeting focused on the AI World Society (AIWS) initiative and the concept of New Democracy, exploring how artificial intelligence can be leveraged to enhance democratic processes and institutions. Audrey Tang shared insights from Taiwan’s experiences in integrating technology with governance, emphasizing the country’s advancements in digital democracy and civic participation.
Nguyen Anh Tuan highlighted the importance of international cooperation in shaping the new democracy in the Age of AI. “International collaboration is essential for harnessing AI to strengthen democratic values worldwide,” he stated.
Yasuhide Nakayama added, “The synergy between Japan, Taiwan, and the Boston Global Forum is pivotal in addressing the challenges posed by rapid technological advancements. By sharing knowledge and strategies, we can ensure that AI serves as a tool for good.”
The participants also reflected on the legacy of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whose vision for regional cooperation continues to inspire initiatives like the Friends of Abe Shinzo Association. The association aims to strengthen ties between nations committed to democratic principles and technological innovation.
by Editor BGF | Sep 29, 2024 | News, World Leaders in AIWS Award Updates
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the recipient of the 2022 World Leader for Peace and Security Award presented by the Boston Global Forum (BGF), delivered a compelling speech at the United Nations General Assembly on September 25, 2024. In his address, President Zelensky:
“There can be no just peace without Ukraine.”
“And when the Chinese-Brazilian duo tries to grow into a choir of voices – with someone in Europe, with someone in Africa, saying something alternative to a full and just peace, the question arises – what is the true interest?
Everyone must understand – you won’t boost your power at Ukraine’s expense.”
Following his UN address, President Zelensky traveled to Washington, D.C., where he visited the White House to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris.
In addition to his official engagements, President Zelensky met privately with former U.S. President Donald Trump.
His leadership since receiving the BGF’s World Leader for Peace and Security Award has been marked by a steadfast commitment to democratic principles and international law.
https://kyivindependent.com/there-can-be-no-just-peace-without-ukraine-zelenskys-full-speech-at-the-un-general-assembly/
https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/26/politics/zelensky-biden-harris-washington-visit/index.html
https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/27/politics/trump-zelensky-meeting/index.html
by Editor BGF | Sep 29, 2024 | Global Alliance for Digital Governance
Mira Murati, OpenAI’s chief technology officer, joins a growing list of OpenAI executives who have departed the company in 2024.
Since ChatGPT took the world by storm in late 2022, OpenAI’s revenue and market value have skyrocketed. But internally, the company hasn’t necessarily had the smoothest ride. The A.I. giant, valued at $150 billion, lost a slew of top executives this year. On Wednesday (Sept. 25) alone, a trio of leaders, including chief technology officer Mira Murati, chief research officer Bob McGrew, and VP of research Barret Zoph, all announced their departures. They join a larger group of former OpenAI employees who have left for rival A.I. developers and startups. As of now, CEO Sam Altman is one of only two active remaining members of the company’s original 11-person founding team.
Andrej Karpathy, research scientist
Ilya Sutskever, chief scientist and co-head of the super alignment team
Jan Leike, co-head of the super alignment team
John Schulman, head of alignment science
Peter Deng, vice president of consumer product
Greg Brockman, president
Mira Murati, chief technology officer
Bob McGrew, chief research officer
Barret Zoph, vice president of research
OpenAI hasn’t just lost employees—it has also rehired some familiar faces. In May, OpenAI welcomed back Kyle Kosic, who worked at the company between 2021 and 2023 on its technical staff. Kosic left last year to join Elon Musk’s xAI. Several other outgoing OpenAI employees have taken similar routes and gone on to work for competing A.I. companies, showing just how competitive the industry is at the moment.
https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/25/tech/openai-technology-chief-mira-murati-leaving/index.html
https://fortune.com/2024/09/26/mira-murati-openai-cto-departure-women/
https://fortune.com/2024/09/26/openai-sam-altman-mira-murati-chatgpt-staff-departures-exodus-researchers/
https://observer.com/2024/09/openai-executives-resign/
