by Editor BGF | Oct 5, 2025 | Global Alliance for Digital Governance
In response to “Why U.S. Financial Firms Are Cautious on AI for Surveillance – and What Needs to Change” (GARP, September 26, 2025)
Artificial Intelligence is redefining the structure of financial supervision, compliance, and market integrity. Yet, as the GARP analysis highlights, U.S. financial firms remain cautious in adopting AI for surveillance due to unresolved concerns about fairness, bias, explainability, and regulatory alignment.
The Boston Global Forum (BGF) views this caution as a sign of responsibility. Ethical, human-centered AI must be the foundation for modern financial governance. These principles are embedded in the Boston Finance Accord for AI Governance 24/7 and the AI World Society (AIWS) framework developed by BGF and its global partners.
To ensure trustworthy AI in finance, BGF identifies three urgent priorities:
- Establish standardized AI governance frameworks rooted in ethics, transparency, and human accountability.
- Encourage regulatory innovation that enables real-time auditing and ethical oversight of algorithmic systems.
- Promote collaboration among financial institutions, regulators, and technologists to create AI that strengthens—rather than replaces—human judgment.
These themes will be central to the BGF Conference on November 4, 2025, at Harvard University’s Loeb House, marking the 10th Anniversary of the World Leader for Peace and Security Award and advancing the Boston Finance Accord for AI Governance 24/7. Global leaders, scholars, and innovators will convene to discuss ethical digital assets and responsible AI-driven finance for the democratic world.
Through the AIWS Bank and Finance Ecosystem, BGF continues to pioneer frameworks ensuring that AI in finance is transparent, explainable, and aligned with democratic values. The mission is clear: AI must not replace human responsibility—it must enhance it.
https://www.garp.org/risk-intelligence/culture-governance/why-u.s.-financial-firms-250926
by Editor BGF | Sep 28, 2025 | News
At the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80), world leaders called for urgent action on democratic AI governance. Yet efforts at the UN to establish international oversight fell short, underscoring the difficulty of aligning nations with vastly different standards and purposes.
The Boston Global Forum (BGF) believes the time has come for democracies to act together. Since 2017, BGF has pioneered frameworks for AI governance through the AI World Society (AIWS) Initiative, the Social Contract for the AI Age, AIWS Government 24/7, the Boston Finance Accord for AI Governance 24/7, and the Abe AI Finance Protocol.
In 2020, BGF and the World Leadership Alliance – Club de Madrid co-founded the Global Alliance for Digital Governance (GADG), bringing together former heads of state and government with thought leaders to champion democratic values in the digital era. The Global Alliance for Digital Governance now provides the foundation to expand and develop this mission into the Global Alliance for Democratic AI and Digital Governance.
Building on this foundation, BGF calls for uniting trusted democracies to establish ethical frameworks and governance models for the AI Age.
The Alliance will begin with five core nations:
- United States – global leader, birthplace of the Internet and AI
- Japan – anchor of ethics and trusted democracy
- India – vibrant democracy with advanced AI and digital platforms
- Israel – innovative and agile nation
- Vietnam – a transforming country, committed to reform, openness, and international integration
Vietnam’s leadership has articulated a strong vision for responsible integration with the global community. At Columbia University in 2024, Chief of the Communist Party of Vietnam, To Lam, declared: “Viet Nam’s development path cannot separate from the common trend of the world and human civilization. We will continue to accelerate the process of reform, opening up, and comprehensive and extensive international integration.”
Reaffirming this vision at UNGA80, Vietnamese President Luong Cuong stated: “By promoting the responsible development of advanced technologies, Vietnam is linking its domestic modernization with global concerns about ethics, inclusiveness, and security in AI.”
Vietnam is uniquely positioned to serve as a bridge between developed and developing nations. Its responsible approach to modernization, coupled with its openness to global norms, gives Vietnam the credibility to convince other emerging economies to join this alliance and adopt ethical standards for AI and digital governance.
This coalition will be guided by World Leaders in AIWS, including Audrey Tang, Alondra Nelson, Sanae Takaichi, Vint Cerf, Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis, Amandeep Gill, Ángel Gurría, and Professor Judea Pearl.
It will also be led by Boston Global Forum’s leadership team, including:
- Nguyen Anh Tuan, Co-Founder, Co-Chair, and CEO, BGF
- Governor Michael Dukakis, Co-Founder and Co-Chair, BGF
- Professor Alex Pentland, MIT
- Professor Nazli Choucri, MIT
- Professor Thomas Patterson, Harvard Kennedy School
- Professor David Silbersweig, Harvard Medical School
- Yasuhide Nakayama, Former Japanese State Minister
- Elisabeth Moreno, Former French Minister
- Glen Weyl, Microsoft Research Leader and Founder, Plurality Institute
- Jeff Saviano, Harvard Contributor in the AI Ethics
Taiwan’s digital democracy will serve as a case study, offering valuable lessons in civic participation, transparency, and resilience. Expansion will follow with trusted democracies such as Sweden and Norway.
The Global Alliance for Democratic AI and Digital Governance will ensure that artificial intelligence and advanced technologies are aligned with democracy, human rights, peace, and shared prosperity. It will serve as a counterweight to authoritarian AI models and an engine for ethical innovation.
https://www.cbs42.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/852520868/world-leaders-call-for-urgent-action-on-democratic-ai-governance-at-unga80/
https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/us-rejects-international-ai-oversight-un-general-assembly-rcna233478
by Editor BGF | Sep 29, 2025 | News, Shaping Futures
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has projected that Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) could become a reality by the year 2030, a breakthrough he believes will reshape economies, societies, and governance worldwide. Altman suggested that AI systems may soon be capable of performing up to 40% of current human tasks, from healthcare and education to finance and logistics.
While acknowledging the transformative opportunities, Altman emphasized the need for safety, governance, and ethical oversight. Without effective frameworks, he warned, AGI could amplify inequalities or destabilize institutions.
Altman also reflected on technology’s relationship with President Donald Trump, pointing to the complex interactions between Silicon Valley and Washington. He noted both tensions and opportunities in aligning technological progress with national and global policy.
His predictions underscore a defining challenge of our time — one that the Boston Global Forum (BGF) and the AI World Society (AIWS) have been addressing for nearly a decade. BGF has laid essential foundations through:
- The Social Contract for the AI Age (2020): A democratic framework ensuring AI serves human dignity, freedom, and inclusiveness.
- AIWS Government 24/7: A model for transparent, accountable, AI-assisted governance.
- The Boston Finance Accord for AI Governance 24/7: Ethical standards for AI-driven finance.
- The Global Alliance for Democratic AI and Digital Governance (2025): Uniting trusted democracies to shape responsible global AI frameworks.
As Altman points toward 2030 as the AGI horizon, these initiatives provide the roadmap for democracies to ensure AI strengthens peace, democracy, and human well-being rather than undermining them. The urgency of this work has never been clearer.
https://www.techspot.com/news/109644-sam-altman-predicts-artificial-general-intelligence-2030-ai.html
by Editor BGF | Sep 29, 2025 | News
At the Boston Global Forum – Club de Madrid Conference (September 2020), world leaders and policy innovators launched the Social Contract for the AI Age.
Significance:
- One of the earliest comprehensive frameworks linking AI governance with democratic values.
- Called for ethics, accountability, transparency, and inclusiveness in the design and deployment of AI.
- Positioned AI as a force for peace, human dignity, and equality rather than division or exploitation.
- Became the foundation for later initiatives such as AIWS Government 24/7, the Boston Finance Accord for AI Governance 24/7, and the Abe AI Finance Protocol.
Global Impact:
- Shaped early international discussions on democratic AI governance.
- Provided intellectual groundwork for alliances and frameworks championed by BGF and its partners.
- Its relevance was strongly reaffirmed at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80) in 2025, where leaders issued renewed calls for urgent action on democratic AI governance.
🔗 World Leaders Call for Urgent Action on Democratic AI Governance at UNGA80
by Editor BGF | Sep 29, 2025 | Shinzo Abe Initiative for Peace and Security, News
From Harmony to Humanity
A Seventeen-Article Constitution for the AI Era
Inspired by the Principles of Prince Shōtoku (604 AD)
I. Executive Summary
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming every aspect of human life. It holds immense promise but also grave risks to human dignity, democracy, and peace. This proposal offers a human-centered governance framework inspired by one of the oldest ethical constitutions in the world: Japan’s Seventeen-Article Constitution, authored by Prince Shōtoku in the year 604 AD.
Rooted in the timeless principles of harmony, propriety, public good, and deliberation, this modern adaptation lays out 17 guiding articles for the responsible development and use of AI. It is not a set of rigid laws, but a moral compass designed to help us stay human in an increasingly technological world.
This document is addressed to international policymakers, corporate leaders, academics, and citizens who care deeply about ensuring that AI serves all of humanity.
II. Historical Context: Wisdom from a Distant Past
In the early 7th century, Japan was a fractured society. Feudal clans competed for power. Political instability and internal conflict threatened the future of the emerging nation. In this environment, Prince Shōtoku crafted a visionary ethical framework—the Seventeen-Article Constitution.
Though not a legal code, it provided moral and administrative guidance to leaders and officials. It introduced:
- The supremacy of harmony (wa) as a political and social value
- The importance of ethical governance and spiritual respect
- Early forms of meritocracy and bureaucratic professionalism
- A deep commitment to deliberation over autocracy
This was more than Japanese political reform. It was an early example of humanist thinking in statecraft—centuries ahead of its time.
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III. The Original Seventeen Articles (604 AD)
Each of the following articles is presented with a plain-language explanation:
- Value harmony above all. Cooperation is the foundation of a strong nation.
- Respect the Three Treasures: Buddha, Dharma, Sangha. Let spiritual ethics guide governance.
- Follow the emperor’s will with sincerity. Maintain unity under legitimate authority.
- Uphold propriety. Officials must act with discipline and humility.
- Forgive, and correct your own faults. Reconciliation is more powerful than revenge.
- Appoint officials based on merit. Leadership must reflect ability, not birthright.
- Avoid disputes. Arguments breed chaos and weaken governance.
- Work diligently. Laziness in duty is a danger to society.
- Adopt good ideas; reform bad practices. Be flexible and principled.
- Be united in national matters. Important decisions require consensus.
- Reward virtue; punish wrongdoing. Justice must be consistent and fair.
- Care for the people. Officials must govern with empathy and responsibility.
- Discourage evil; encourage good. A moral state is a stable one.
- Do not be jealous of colleagues. Internal strife undermines collective progress.
- Put public interest before personal gain. Selflessness builds trust.
- Consider the seasons when taxing labor. Respect the rhythms of people’s lives.
- Deliberate together. No one should decide alone.
IV. A Modern Constitution for the Age of AI (2025 AD)
Preamble: Inspired by Shōtoku’s principles, and recognizing the power and risks of AI, we propose these 17 articles as a global framework for ethical, inclusive, and human-centered AI governance.
- Promote harmony and shared human flourishing.
- Ensure that humans retain final authority and accountability.
- Uphold the rule of law and protect fundamental rights.
- Require transparency, explainability, and public trust.
- Take responsibility for harms and correct mistakes.
- Assign duties based on capability and ethics.
- Prevent conflict through cooperation and alignment.
- Maintain diligent oversight and continuous monitoring.
- Foster continuous learning and adaptive improvement.
- Base high-risk decisions on deliberation and consent.
- Encourage ethical innovation; penalize abuse.
- Safeguard vulnerable populations and promote inclusion.
- Forbid exploitative, militarized, or authoritarian use.
- Promote fairness and prevent monopoly control.
- Prioritize the public good above all other interests.
- Ensure environmental and generational sustainability.
- Create grievance mechanisms and democratic oversight.
V. Implementation Guidelines
- For governments: Codify these principles in AI legislation and regulatory oversight bodies.
- For companies: Build internal review boards, redress systems, and safety protocols.
- For researchers: Publish audit reports and assess social impacts.
- For international forums: Align national standards and foster interoperability
VI.Closing Message
When Prince Shōtoku wrote these words over a millennium ago, he could not have imagined the digital world of today. But he understood something eternal:
“No matter the era, governance must be rooted in respect, wisdom, and the common good.”
AI must not lead us into division or domination. It must be led by us—wisely, humbly, and together.
Let us reawaken the human spirit in our technologies.
Let us build not just smart machines, but a more just, inclusive, and harmonious world.
Let this Seventeen-Article Constitution for the AI Age be our guide.
by Editor BGF | Sep 29, 2025 | World Leader for Peace and Security, News, World Leaders in AIWS Award Updates
A new study published in Humanities and Social Sciences Communications (Nature) explores the meaning of Bhāvanā within Integrated Amrita Meditation®-35 (IAM®-35), a practice developed by Satguru Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma), 2023 World Leader for Peace and Security Award recipient, nature.com.
The paper, “Defining Bhāvanā through the PAL framework: grounded theory insights from long-term IAM®-35 practitioners”, examines how 27 experienced meditators describe their lived experience of Bhāvanā, an ancient contemplative principle meaning “bringing into being.”
Using grounded theory, the researchers propose the PAL framework, identifying:
- Prerequisites for practice
- Aspects of the meditation process
- Levels of Bhāvanā experience
Findings show that Bhāvanā is an immersive process integrating awareness, memory, and multisensory engagement. Practitioners reported transformative experiences of personal and spiritual unity, bridging ancient contemplative traditions with modern experiential insights.
This contribution builds on Amma’s decades of work integrating compassion, ethics, and meditation into practical frameworks for well-being and peace. It also resonates with the broader movement for democratic AI and digital governance, where BGF and world leaders stress the role of ethics and human dignity in shaping the future.
🔗 Read the full article in Nature
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-025-05783-y
by Editor BGF | Sep 29, 2025 | News
New York, September 2025 — At the United Nations General Assembly, President Donald Trump expressed strong confidence in Ukraine’s ability to defeat Russia and reclaim its occupied territory. In a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, 2022 World Leader for Peace and Security Award Recipient, Trump emphasized that the United States trusts and supports Ukraine in its fight for victory.
Following the meeting, Zelenskyy said Trump showed deep understanding of the battlefield situation and “has faith in Ukraine.” He added that Trump’s support strengthens Ukraine’s resolve and its belief that full liberation of Ukrainian land is possible.
In his UNGA remarks, Trump praised Ukraine’s resilience, reaffirmed America’s backing for Kyiv, and urged NATO allies to step up their commitments, including stronger defensive actions to counter Russian aggression.
This marks a notable shift in Trump’s approach: whereas earlier he had suggested more cautious or transactional dealings with the conflict, his words at UNGA signaled a clear endorsement of Ukraine’s determination to win.
Observers note that President Trump’s support carries both symbolic and strategic weight, potentially reshaping U.S.–Ukraine relations and NATO’s collective stance. The global community will now watch closely to see how his words translate into policy and action in the months ahead.
by Editor BGF | Sep 28, 2025 | Global Alliance for Digital Governance
“The AI World Society: A 30-Year US–Vietnam Partnership from Nha Trang to Boston (1995–2025)”
By Nguyen Anh Tuan and Professor Thomas Patterson (Harvard University), and the Necessity of a Meeting between President Donald Trump and Chief of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam
The book The AI World Society: A 30-Year US–Vietnam Partnership from Nha Trang to Boston (1995–2025), co-authored by Nguyen Anh Tuan and Harvard Professor Thomas Patterson, reflects on three decades of evolving relations between the United States and Vietnam. It highlights milestones in cooperation, challenges confronted, and the promise of a shared future in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and global digital transformation.
The book underscores a pivotal truth: the Vietnam–US relationship is built not only on strategic alignment but also on people-to-people trust. At the 80th United Nations General Assembly, President Luong Cuong emphasized that “by promoting the responsible development of advanced technologies, Vietnam is linking its domestic modernization with global concerns about ethics, inclusiveness, and security in AI.” At multilateral forums, Vietnam has consistently called for narrowing the digital divide and fostering cooperative approaches to science for the common good of humanity.
The volume also documents critical moments in the partnership. It stresses the importance of direct and frank dialogue at the highest level, recalling the need for a White House meeting between Chief of the Communist Party of Vietnam, To Lam, and President Donald Trump during Trump’s presidency. Such a meeting was essential to openly address obstacles, threats, and dangers facing Vietnam–US relations, as well as to chart new pathways for trust and cooperation.
In 2024 at Columbia University, Mr. To Lam further clarified Vietnam’s perspective: “Viet Nam’s development path cannot separate from the common trend of the world and human civilization. We will continue to accelerate the process of reform, opening up, and comprehensive and extensive international integration.”
At UNGA80, President Luong Cuong reiterated this vision: “By promoting the responsible development of advanced technologies, Vietnam is linking its domestic modernization with global concerns about ethics, inclusiveness, and security in AI.” This perspective places Vietnam at the heart of international conversations on ethical technology governance, showing how AI can become a bridge for peace, democracy, and human dignity.
Honorable Mark Kennedy: “Marking three decades since the normalization of U.S.–Vietnam relations, we celebrate not only reconciliation but the strategic foresight it represents. In a time of intensifying competition in the Indo-Pacific, the partnership between Washington and Hanoi underscores how former adversaries can become trusted partners in advancing regional stability, resilient supply chains, and a free and open order. The U.S.–Vietnam story is proof that bold leadership can transform history’s divides into tomorrow’s strengths.”
Looking ahead, the book points to an important opportunity: President Donald Trump should welcome Mr. To Lam in Washington in October 2025. Such a meeting would reaffirm mutual respect and shared interests, while opening new doors for collaboration in security, economic development, and governance in the digital and AI era.
Published by Tri Thuc Publishing House, the book represents an important contribution to the intellectual and diplomatic dialogue shaping the future of US–Vietnam relations.
by Editor BGF | Sep 21, 2025 | News
At the Boston Global Forum (BGF) Conference on November 4, 2025, at Harvard University Loeb House, the AIWS Digital Assets Board will formally announce the creation of Esteemed Digital Assets honoring Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, recipient of the 2015 World Leader for Peace and Security Award.
This announcement comes as part of the celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the World Leader for Peace and Security Award (2015–2025), honoring leaders who have shaped peace and democracy in the modern era. The Shinzo Abe Digital Assets will serve as a lasting tribute to his leadership in advancing the Indo-Pacific vision, strengthening democracy, and fostering global peace and security.
The presentation will be led by Yasuhide Nakayama, Former State Minister of Japan and distinguished BGF leader, together with Vibhav Kant Upadhyay, Chairman of the India Center Foundation and Representative of BGF in India.
Beyond symbolic recognition, the Shinzo Abe Esteemed Digital Assets will be integrated into the AIWS Film Park and the Shinzo Abe Film project, ensuring that his story continues to inspire future generations through digital heritage, culture, and ethical AI-driven creativity.
In honoring Prime Minister Abe with this pioneering digital legacy, BGF and AIWS reaffirm their mission: to combine innovation, ethics, and culture in building a world of peace, democracy, and human dignity.
