by Editor BGF | Jul 27, 2025 | Global Alliance for Digital Governance
Why strength today is systemic—and how each pillar must reinforce the others
Honorable Mark R. Kennedy, Member of the BGF Board of Thinkers
In an era of global disruption and intensifying rivalry, strategic advantage doesn’t go to the biggest economy or the largest army. It goes to those who are most aligned across systems—who govern with legitimacy, innovate with intent, adapt under pressure, earn trust abroad, and defend with credibility.
That’s the purpose of the GRIPS framework: to diagnose whether a nation is truly positioned for long-term strength.
Each pillar—Governance, Resilience, Innovation, Perception, Security—is a form of power in its own right. But none stands alone. What matters is how they interact—how gaps are closed, how capabilities reinforce one another, and how strategy becomes greater than the sum of its parts.
Here’s what each pillar demands:
🟦 G – Governing Power
Governance is not just structure—it’s direction. Strategic power comes not just from having institutions, but from how they are used.
- Governing vs. Gaming – Do institutions serve the public, or are they manipulated for narrow gain?
- Grounded vs. Grandstanding – Are leaders focused on substance or spectacle?
- Guiding vs. Grasping – Is leadership animated by shared purpose—or by power retention?
- Generative vs. Gridlocked – Can the system evolve, or is it frozen in dysfunction?
Legitimacy is power. Alignment is power. In strategic competition, a nation that governs well moves as one\
🟩 R – Resilience Power
Resilience isn’t just endurance—it’s strategic flexibility under pressure. It enables nations to absorb shocks, sustain focus, and adapt.
- Responsive vs. Rigid – Can the system pivot when conditions change?
- Strategic vs. Short-termist – Is it investing for tomorrow—or chasing headlines today?
- Disciplined vs. Deficit-Driven – Does fiscal capacity support strategy—or constrain it?
- Redundant vs. Over-optimized – Are critical systems built with buffers—or brittle in a crisis?
Resilience turns disruption into opportunity. Without it, even the most advanced economies crumble under stress.
🟨 I – Innovation Power
Innovation defines the frontier of strategic advantage—from semiconductors to AI to space. But it doesn’t emerge by accident.
- Coordinated vs. Fragmented – Are government, academia, and industry working in sync?
- Inclusive vs. Inward-Looking – Is the system open to global talent and ideas—or closed off?
- Open vs. Overcontrolled – Are creativity and control in balance?
- Sustained vs. Sporadic – Is R&D funded consistently, or at the whim of politics?
Innovation power requires ecosystems that compound—not just invent. It’s not just what you create—it’s what you scale.
🟪 P – Perception Power
Perception is not PR. It is a form of influence—shaping who aligns with you, who resists you, and what role you play in the world.
- Protector vs. Predator – Do others see you as defending order or exploiting it?
- Partner vs. Profiteer – Are your alliances fair—or extractive?
- Pacesetter vs. Pretender – Are you setting standards—or just claiming credit?
- Principled vs. Parochial – Are you driven by values—or narrow interest?
- Pillar vs. Provocateur – Are you a source of stability—or instability?
- Performer vs. Paralytic – Can you deliver on promises—or not?
- Persuader vs. Propagandist – Are you shaping truth—or spinning it?
In a networked world, how you are perceived is how you are positioned. Trust multiplies power. Distrust constrains it.
🟥 S – Security Power
Security remains the foundation of sovereignty. But in this century, strength must be credible, agile, and integrated—not just big.
- Ready vs. Reactive – Are you prepared before crises—or scrambling after?
- Agile vs. Archaic – Are your systems built for speed and complexity?
- Integrated vs. Isolated – Do your alliances function as one—or as many?
- Credible vs. Hollow – Do others believe in your deterrence—or doubt it?
Security is no longer just about how much you spend. It’s about how well your systems deter, mobilize, and adapt.
Strategic Coherence: The Real Test of Power
Each GRIPS pillar matters. But strategic power emerges not from excelling in one—but from integrating all five.
A country with advanced tech but poor governance will find innovation undercut.
A nation with a strong military but no narrative trust may deter no one.
A government that acts short-term will erode resilience—no matter how wealthy it is.
That’s why GRIPS is not a checklist. It’s a blueprint.
It reveals where a nation is strong, where it’s stretched—and where misalignment may invite strategic failure.
Because in this era, strength alone isn’t enough. Strategic coherence is the new advantage.
by Editor BGF | Jul 20, 2025 | News, Shaping Futures
By Cansu Canca
In the Shaping Futures section of this week’s BGF Weekly, we spotlight the influential article “Operationalizing AI Ethics Principles” by Dr. Cansu Canca, published in the Communications of the ACM.
Dr. Canca addresses one of the most pressing challenges in AI governance today: how to translate ethical principles into actionable practices within organizations developing and deploying AI. As ethical declarations proliferate, real-world mechanisms to enforce, monitor, and assess AI ethics remain limited. This article outlines pathways to embed ethics directly into AI development lifecycles, ensuring that principles are not just symbolic but operational and measurable.
At the Boston Global Forum (BGF) and within the AI World Society (AIWS), this work resonates deeply with our efforts — from the AIWS 7-Layer Model of AI Ethics to the Boston Finance Accord for AI Governance 24/7 — to build frameworks where ethics guide innovation systematically and transparently.
Dr. Canca’s approach offers valuable insights for leaders, innovators, and policymakers seeking to ensure that AI technologies are developed with accountability, fairness, and societal benefit at their core.
📌 Read the full article:
https://cacm.acm.org/opinion/operationalizing-ai-ethics-principles/
by Editor BGF | Jul 20, 2025 | Shinzo Abe Initiative for Peace and Security, News
- Comeback After Collapse
In 2007, Abe resigned as Prime Minister due to illness. Many viewed him as politically finished.
Yet in 2012, he made a dramatic return. His unprecedented second chance inspired many Japanese who had once lost confidence in themselves.
- “Japan is back” – A Message to the World
In January 2013, Abe declared “Japan is back” at CSIS in Washington. For many Japanese abroad,
it was a powerful moment of pride and reassurance, seeing their country speak with strength and clarity.
- Japan’s Longest-Serving Postwar Prime Minister
His second term lasted over 7 years—the longest in postwar Japanese history. This brought rare political stability and a consistent voice for Japan on the global stage.
- Championing the Free and Open Indo-Pacific
Abe emphasized cooperation among democratic nations, laying the foundation for the Quad partnership (Japan, U.S., Australia, India) and raising Japan’s strategic presence in the region.
- Leading TPP Without the U.S.
After the U.S. withdrew from the TPP, Abe led the remaining countries to form TPP-11. He demonstrated Japan’s capacity to lead in global trade.
- A Reformer Who Embraced Difficult Challenges
From education and corporate governance to women’s empowerment, Abe pursued long-term reforms with a clear vision of Japan’s future competitiveness.
- Symbol of Reconciliation and Peace
Abe visited Pearl Harbor with President Obama and welcomed him to Hiroshima—moments that drew global attention and embodied a commitment to peace.
- Transforming Japan’s Security Policy
By allowing limited collective self-defense through new legislation, Abe redefined Japan’s postwar defense posture and international responsibility.
- Diplomatic Balance with Trump and Xi
Even during global instability, Abe skillfully maintained relations with both President Trump and President Xi, showcasing his diplomatic acumen.
- A Source of Pride for Young Japanese Abroad
To many Japanese living overseas, Abe symbolized a more confident and proactive Japan. His leadership helped them reclaim a sense of national pride.
Personal Reflection from a Japanese Abroad:
“When I was studying in Washington, I watched Abe deliver his ‘Japan is back’ speech. For the first time, I felt that Japan was speaking to the world—with confidence. It made me proud of my country.”
Akiko Kawai
Boston Global Forum
Abe was the first Japanese prime minister to visit the USS Arizona Memorial
by Editor BGF | Jul 20, 2025 | World Leader for Peace and Security, News, World Leaders in AIWS Award Updates
In the World Leader Award Section of this week’s BGF Weekly, we proudly introduce insights and reflections from distinguished members of the BGF Board of Thinkers on prominent global leaders who have shaped peace, security, and democracy.
This section serves as a space where BGF leaders comment, evaluate, and analyze the legacies of world leaders, offering perspectives that enrich our understanding of their contributions to global affairs. Their reflections complement the values of the World Leader for Peace and Security Award and the World Leader in AIWS Award, which honor individuals whose leadership transforms the world for the better.
This week, we feature an illuminating reflection by Honorable Mark Kennedy, Member of the BGF Board of Thinkers and Director of the Wilson Center’s Wahba Institute for Strategic Competition, on the enduring legacy of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. In his article for The Hill, Mark Kennedy underscores why Abe’s vision, leadership, and commitment to democratic alliances in the Indo-Pacific are worthy of the highest recognition.
📖 Read: Shinzo Abe’s legacy worthy of the highest honor — The Hill
https://thehill.com/opinion/international/3550512-shinzo-abes-legacy-worthy-of-the-highest-honor/
by Editor BGF | Jul 20, 2025 | News
On July 18, 2025, President Donald Trump signed into law a historic bill regulating stablecoins, a pivotal step for the mainstream adoption of digital assets in the United States. As reported by Reuters, this legislation creates the first clear federal framework for stablecoins — cryptocurrencies pegged to traditional currencies like the US dollar — positioning the US at the forefront of crypto innovation and financial regulation.
This development echoes through the Four Pillars of the Boston Global Forum (BGF) — Peace, Democracy, Innovation, and Leadership — shaping how technology, governance, and global finance intersect in the AI and digital age.
1️. Peace: Financial Stability in the Digital Age
Stablecoins, when properly regulated, can reduce volatility in digital transactions and promote safer, more transparent financial ecosystems. By establishing a federal regulatory regime, the US aims to prevent risks of fraud, instability, and misuse that could threaten economic security — contributing to global financial peace.
2️. Democracy: Regulatory Clarity and Consumer Protection
The new law empowers federal agencies to oversee stablecoin issuers, ensuring transparency, accountability, and protection of consumers’ rights. This aligns with democratic principles of fair markets, informed choice, and equal access to financial tools, essential for digital democracy.
3️. Innovation: Catalyzing Responsible Crypto Growth
With legal clarity, the law is expected to catalyze innovation in digital finance, fintech, and decentralized finance (DeFi). Entrepreneurs and financial institutions now have a defined path to develop new solutions, reinforcing the Boston Finance Accord for AI Governance 24/7 and BGF’s advocacy for ethical fintech and digital asset ecosystems.
4️. Leadership: US as a Standard-Setter
By enacting this law, the United States reclaims leadership in setting global standards for digital assets and blockchain technologies. This positions the US to influence international norms, ensuring that digital assets develop within ethical, transparent, and democratically governed frameworks — an objective deeply embedded in BGF’s Esteemed Digital Assets initiative.
BGF Perspective
At the Boston Global Forum, we recognize this milestone as a critical juncture for shaping the future of digital assets, governance, and financial inclusion. It reflects the need for continuous dialogue between policymakers, innovators, and global leaders to ensure that the evolution of finance supports peace, democracy, innovation, and ethical leadership.
We invite our global community to discuss:
✅ How should stablecoin governance evolve globally following the US model?
✅ What ethical safeguards must accompany financial innovations like stablecoins?
✅ How can digital assets advance peace and democratic values worldwide?
📌 Read the full Reuters article:
https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/trump-signs-stablecoin-law-crypto-industry-aims-mainstream-adoption-2025-07-18/
by Editor BGF | Jul 20, 2025 | Global Alliance for Digital Governance
The Boston Global Forum and the AI World Society (AIWS) are pleased to highlight “An Ethics Model for Innovation: The PiE Model” developed by Dr. Cansu Canca, founder of AI Ethics Lab. Presented through her lecture at the AI Ethics Course, the PiE Model provides a practical and structured framework for integrating ethics into the innovation process — from ideation to implementation.
This model aligns closely with the AIWS Standards and Model, particularly in promoting:
✅ Ethical by Design innovation
✅ Inclusive decision-making that balances innovation with societal impact
✅ Responsible AI development guided by human-centered values
The PiE Model emphasizes the importance of embedding ethics at every stage of innovation, ensuring that new technologies, especially in AI and digital assets, advance peace, democracy, transparency, and social good — core principles of the AIWS 7-Layer Model of AI Ethics.
We encourage policymakers, innovators, and scholars in the AIWS ecosystem to explore the PiE Model as a complementary tool in developing ethical, sustainable, and governance-aligned innovations.
📌 Learn more:
🔗 An Ethics Model for Innovation: The PiE Model by Cansu Canca
https://aiethicslab.com/pie-model/
https://aiethicscourse.org/lectures/the-pie-model
by Editor BGF | Jul 20, 2025 | News
The Boston Global Forum (BGF) is pleased to announce that the book “The AI World Society: A 30-Year US-Vietnam Partnership from Nha Trang to Boston (1995-2025)”, co-authored by Harvard Professor Thomas Patterson and Nguyen Anh Tuan, Co-Founder, Co-Chair, and CEO of BGF, with a foreword by Governor Michael Dukakis, has been warmly welcomed in Vietnam.
This book chronicles a remarkable journey of reconciliation, friendship, and cooperation between the United States and Vietnam, culminating in the vision of the AI World Society (AIWS) — a model for fostering peace, democracy, and innovation in the AI Age.
To celebrate this important milestone:
- Nguyen Anh Tuan will speak at the Vietnam CEO Summit 2025, marking 30 years of US-Vietnam normalization and the 80th Anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day.
- He will also deliver remarks at the Global National Entrepreneurship Forum of Vietnam, held in honor of the 80th Anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day.
- Additionally, a series of discussions, dialogues, and forums focusing on the book and its themes will be organized throughout Vietnam in late July, August, and September 2025.
These events not only commemorate the historic relationship between the United States and Vietnam but also invite leaders, scholars, and entrepreneurs to engage in discussions on the future of AI governance, ethical innovation, and global cooperation.
The Boston Global Forum looks forward to contributing to these dialogues, strengthening the enduring US-Vietnam partnership, and advancing the AI World Society vision for a better, safer, and more inclusive world.
VTCNews: https://vtcnews.vn/ra-mat-sach-xa-hoi-tri-tue-nhan-tao-30-nam-doi-tac-viet-my-tu-nha-trang-den-boston-ar953909.html
VietNamNet: https://vietnamnet.vn/khi-trai-tim-va-khoi-oc-vuot-qua-moi-rao-can-2420976.html
by Editor BGF | Jul 13, 2025 | News, Shaping Futures
We’re starting to give AI agents real autonomy, and we’re not prepared for what could happen next.
Operator, an agent from OpenAI, can autonomously navigate a browser to order groceries or make dinner reservations. Systems like Claude Code and Cursor’s Chat feature can modify entire code bases with a single command. Manus, a viral agent from the Chinese startup Butterfly Effect, can build and deploy websites with little human supervision. Any action that can be captured by text—from playing a video game using written commands to running a social media account—is potentially within the purview of this type of system.
LLM agents don’t have much of a track record yet, but to hear CEOs tell it, they will transform the economy—and soon.
Scholars, too, are taking agents seriously. “Agents are the next frontier,” says Dawn Song, a professor of electrical engineering and computer science at the University of California, Berkeley. But, she says, “in order for us to really benefit from AI, to actually [use it to] solve complex problems, we need to figure out how to make them work safely and securely.”
That’s a tall order. Because like chatbot LLMs, agents can be chaotic and unpredictable.
As of now, there’s no foolproof way to guarantee that AI agents will act as their developers intend or to prevent malicious actors from misusing them. And though researchers like Yoshua Bengio, a professor of computer science at the University of Montreal and one of the so-called “godfathers of AI,” are working hard to develop new safety mechanisms, they may not be able to keep up with the rapid expansion of agents’ powers. “If we continue on the current path of building agentic systems,” Bengio says, “we are basically playing Russian roulette with humanity.”
https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/06/12/1118189/ai-agents-manus-control-autonomy-operator-openai/
by Editor BGF | Jul 13, 2025 | Shinzo Abe Initiative for Peace and Security, News
July 8 marked the third anniversary of the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, an outstanding prime minister and world leader. Abe was felled by a bullet fired by a terrorist as he gave a street corner speech. It happened during the last Upper House election, held in 2022. Once again, we offer our heartfelt condolences.
Let there be no doubt that assassination represents a direct challenge to democracy and is absolutely unacceptable. Not only does it take precious lives through violent means, but it also stifles freedom of speech.
Since then, politics in Japan have become unstable, and we are confronted with a crisis. This can be seen in the crushing defeat of the ruling parties in the 2024 House of Representatives election and the low approval ratings of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba‘s Cabinet.
The time has come to reevaluate “Abe politics.”
Please see full here:
https://japan-forward.com/floundering-politics-need-shinzo-abes-legacy/
People pray near the scene of PM Shinzo Abe’s assassination in Nara City, at 11:32 AM on July 8 (©Sankei by Kotaro Hikono)
