by Editor BGF | Oct 12, 2025 | World Leader for Peace and Security, News, World Leaders in AIWS Award Updates
For a decade, the Boston Global Forum (BGF) has honored exceptional world leaders who have advanced peace, security, and human dignity through vision, courage, and ethical leadership. As we celebrate this milestone, we reflect on the profound legacy of those honored and look ahead to a future where moral leadership and artificial intelligence together shape a more enlightened world.
Honorees (2015–2025)
- 2015: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (Japan); Chancellor Angela Merkel (Germany)
- 2016: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
- 2017: President Toomas Hendrik Ilves (Estonia)
- 2018: President Sauli Niinistö (Finland)
- 2019: President of WLA–Club de Madrid, former President Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga
- 2020: President Ursula von der Leyen (European Commission)
- 2021: President Sauli Niinistö (Finland)
- 2022: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the People of Ukraine
- 2023: Amma (Mata Amritanandamayi)
- 2024: President Emmanuel Macron (France)
- 2025: To be announced at the Harvard University Faculty Club, November 3, 2025
New Ideas for the Award at 10 Years: Building the Next Generation of Ethical Leaders for the AI Age
At this historic anniversary, the Boston Global Forum and the AI World Society (AIWS) will introduce new directions to elevate the Award for the coming decade—ensuring it continues to inspire moral courage and ethical innovation in an era defined by artificial intelligence and global transformation.
1. World Leader Laureates for Peace and Humanity
A new world alliance of laureates—past recipients of the Award—who will collaborate to address urgent global challenges such as AI governance, disinformation, climate resilience, and conflict prevention. This initiative will unite visionary leaders to act as moral compasses, guiding the use of technology and policy toward peace, dignity, and cooperation.
2. Inspiring and Educating Future Leaders
Encourage young leaders worldwide to learn from the values, experiences, and achievements of the World Leader Laureates for Peace and Humanity, and to apply the principles of the AI World Society (AIWS) in their own communities. Through mentorship, learning exchanges, and collaborative projects, these future leaders will help realize AIWS—transforming its ideals into real-world action for peace, ethics, and human-centered innovation.
3. Ethical Impact Dossier
An annual, transparent report documenting measurable outcomes from Award-related initiatives—showcasing how leadership inspired by AIWS principles advances human-centered progress and ethical global governance.
Together with its laureates, partners, and the BGF-AIWS Family, the Boston Global Forum will carry this legacy forward—uniting moral leadership with intelligent innovation to build a safer, more just, and more compassionate world.
by Editor BGF | Oct 12, 2025 | News
Boston, October 12, 2025 — The Boston Global Forum (BGF) notes President Donald Trump’s announcement of an additional 100% tariff on Chinese imports, following China’s decision to restrict exports of critical rare earth elements essential to advanced technologies, renewable energy, and defense systems.
The BGF recognizes that President Trump’s response reflects a necessary and strategic reaction to escalating economic and geopolitical threats from China, which has long leveraged resource dominance to shape and influence global supply chains.
While decisive countermeasures are justified to safeguard national interests and economic resilience, BGF emphasizes that enduring peace and stability demand a framework rooted in ethical competition and responsible technological cooperation, aligned with the principles of the AI World Society (AIWS).
The Boston Global Forum calls upon democratic nations to deepen coordination through the Global Alliance on AI and Digital Governance, ensuring that technological advancement and trade policies are grounded in transparency, fairness, and mutual respect — preventing the weaponization of innovation and resources in the AI Age.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4wkd7729po
https://www.ft.com/content/328e3195-909a-45fb-b118-9dafbd41262b
by Editor BGF | Sep 16, 2025 | News
Boston, September 16, 2025 – The Boston Global Forum (BGF) is pleased to announce the India Center Foundation (www.indiacenterfoundation.org), based in New Delhi, India, as a strategic partner. Under the leadership of Chairman Vibhav Kant Upadhyay, the India Center Foundation will partner with BGF, and Mr. Upadhyay will serve as the Representative of BGF in India, effective September 16, 2025.
Governor Michael Dukakis, Co-founder and Chair of BGF, welcomed the appointment, recognizing Mr. Upadhyay’s distinguished record of leadership and innovation. Through his work at the India Center Foundation, Mr. Upadhyay has advanced transformative initiatives connecting India with the Indo-Pacific and the global community.
As BGF’s Representative in India, Mr. Upadhyay will play a key role in advancing initiatives such as AIWS Government 24/7, the Boston Finance Accord, AIWS Digital Assets, the BGF–AIWS Family, and the Shinzo Abe Initiative. His leadership will strengthen BGF’s collaboration with India and reinforce the shared mission of building a more peaceful, democratic, and ethical world in the Age of AI.
“Mr. Upadhyay’s vision and leadership will help bring India’s voice and creativity into global dialogues on peace, governance, and innovation,” said Governor Dukakis. “We are honored to have him represent BGF in India.”
by Editor BGF | Sep 14, 2025 | Shinzo Abe Initiative for Peace and Security, News
Boston Global Forum (BGF) leaders and close collaborators of the Shinzo Abe Initiative—Yasuhide Nakayama, former Japanese State Minister of Defense and Foreign Affairs, and Vibhav Kant Upadhyay, visionary Indian leader and strategist—visited Vietnam for important meetings related to the Shinzo Abe Film, a flagship project of the AIWS Film Park.
On September 16 and 17, 2025, Nakayama and Upadhyay joined Nguyen Anh Tuan, Co-founder and Co-Chair of BGF, in Nha Trang to hold discussions with Vietnamese leaders and cultural representatives. The meetings focused on advancing the production of the Shinzo Abe Film, which will honor the late Prime Minister’s enduring legacy of peace, security, and democratic cooperation, while also highlighting Nha Trang as a rising center of cultural and technological innovation in the Age of AI.
The visit also included dialogues on strengthening Vietnam’s engagement in AIWS initiatives such as AIWS Government 24/7, AIWS Digital Assets, and the AIWS Music for Humanity Forum.
This collaboration marks another step in ensuring that Shinzo Abe’s vision—particularly his commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and to fostering peace and security worldwide—lives on through culture, film, and innovation.
by Editor BGF | Oct 4, 2025 | News
October 4, 2025
Her Excellency Sanae Takaichi
President of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan
Prime Minister-Designate of Japan
Your Excellency,
On behalf of the Boston Global Forum (BGF), we extend our warmest congratulations on your election as President of the Liberal Democratic Party and your forthcoming service as Prime Minister of Japan.
This historic achievement reflects not only your dedication to the people of Japan but also your enduring vision for democracy, security, and responsible innovation in the global era. We at BGF are especially proud to have honored you with the World Leader in AIWS Award in 2023, recognizing your leadership in shaping a human-centered future in the Age of AI.
You have been a valued speaker at BGF and at the Shinzo Abe Conferences, and a true friend of our community. As you assume this great responsibility, please know that BGF will continue to support your leadership and advance the Shinzo Abe Initiative, building upon the legacy of Prime Minister Abe to strengthen democracy, peace, and innovation across the Indo-Pacific and the world.
We believe you will make great contributions and achieve success in your new position, not only for Japan but for the world. We look forward to deepening our partnership with you and your government in the years ahead.
With highest respect and warm regards,
Governor Michael S. Dukakis Nguyen Anh Tuan
Co-Founder and Chair Co-Chair and Chief Executive Officer
Boston Global Forum Boston Global Forum
by Editor BGF | Oct 5, 2025 | Shinzo Abe Initiative for Peace and Security, News
Tokyo, October 5, 2025
Japan’s newly elected Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President, Sanae Takaichi, who is set to become the first female Prime Minister in Japan’s history, delivered her first public address immediately after winning the party’s leadership election.
In a clear, determined tone, Prime Minister-designate Takaichi pledged to “work, work, work” to restore confidence in government and strengthen Japan’s future. She emphasized action and accountability, vowing to prioritize the economy, social stability, and national security with what she called a “spirit of total dedication.”
Takaichi acknowledged the public’s growing frustration with politics and promised to rebuild trust in the LDP, saying that Japan must “turn the people’s anxieties into hope.” She framed her leadership as one grounded in results rather than rhetoric, signaling an era of focus, discipline, and transparency.
On the economy, Takaichi reaffirmed her support for pro-growth fiscal policies inspired by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Abenomics, including stimulus measures, tax incentives, and strong government investment. She warned against the risks of premature monetary tightening and emphasized that Japan’s recovery must prioritize the well-being of workers and families.
Her foreign and security policy remarks underscored continuity with the Abe Doctrine — maintaining a strong defense posture, deepening Japan’s alliance with the United States, and safeguarding peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific amid regional challenges.
In her closing remarks, Takaichi expressed gratitude to party members for their confidence and to citizens for their patience, pledging to lead with integrity, courage, and resolve. “Japan stands at a crossroads,” she said. “We must act decisively to create a future where all people can live with confidence and pride.”
The Boston Global Forum (BGF), which honored Takaichi with the 2023 World Leader in AIWS Award, hailed her victory as a defining moment for Japan and for democratic leadership worldwide.
🎥 Watch the full address: Sanae Takaichi’s first press conference as LDP leader (NHK World–Japan)
by Editor BGF | Oct 5, 2025 | World Leader for Peace and Security, News, World Leaders in AIWS Award Updates
2023 World Leader in AIWS Award Recipient Continues Her Legacy of Vision and Leadership
Tokyo, October 5, 2025 — Sanae Takaichi, recipient of the 2023 World Leader in AIWS Award from the Boston Global Forum (BGF), has made history by becoming the first female Prime Minister of Japan, following her election as President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
Prime Minister Takaichi’s rise marks a defining moment for Japan and for women in global leadership. Recognized by BGF for her outstanding contributions to advancing human-centered innovation, ethics in technology, and democratic governance in the AI Age, she now leads Japan at a pivotal time for the Indo-Pacific and the world.
BGF celebrates this historic achievement by revisiting Sanae Takaichi’s visionary speeches delivered at Boston Global Forum events, where she outlined her approach to ethical AI governance, digital democracy, and the legacy of the Shinzo Abe Initiative.
Speeches of Sanae Takaichi at BGF
Sanae Takaichi’s Speech at the 3rd Shinzo Abe Initiative Conference (March 28, 2024)
🔗 Read on BGF Website
🎥 Watch on YouTube
Statement from Sanae Takaichi to BGF Event at AI Actions Summit Paris 2025
🔗 Read on BGF Website
Award Ceremony Speech (World Leader in AIWS Award 2023)
🔗 Read on BGF Website
🎥 Watch on YouTube
At BGF events, Prime Minister Takaichi consistently emphasized Japan’s responsibility to lead ethically in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and to strengthen cooperation among democracies. Her leadership reflects the enduring influence of the Shinzo Abe Conferences and the AI World Society (AIWS) vision for peace, trust, and responsible innovation.
Governor Michael Dukakis, Chair of BGF, and Nguyen Anh Tuan, Co-Founder and CEO, congratulated Prime Minister Takaichi, noting:
“Her leadership embodies the values of AIWS — wisdom, ethics, and human dignity. She will make great contributions and achieve success not only for Japan but for the world.”
BGF reaffirms its support for Prime Minister Takaichi’s leadership and will continue to advance the Shinzo Abe Initiative and AIWS programs that unite democracy, technology, and humanity for a safer, more enlightened future.
Newly-elected Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leader Sanae Takaichi celebrates after winning the LDP leadership election in Tokyo, Japan, October 4, 2025. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/Pool
by Editor BGF | Oct 3, 2025 | News
On October 4, 2025, at 11:00 am, the Memorial Church at Harvard University will host a celebration of the life and legacy of Professor Joseph S. Nye, Jr., who passed away in May at the age of 88.
Professor Nye was a distinguished thinker and one of the founding members of the Boston Global Forum’s Board of Thinkers, beginning with its very first day on December 12, 2012. From the outset, he played a vital role in shaping the vision and intellectual foundation of BGF, bringing his wisdom, humility, and global perspective to its mission of peace, democracy, and responsible governance in the AI Age.
To honor his memory, the Boston Global Forum will introduce a series of photographs capturing Professor Nye’s last moments in his office at the Harvard Kennedy School. On October 11, 2017, as he prepared to conclude his time in that space, Professor Nye presented to BGF the chair he had used for many years, along with two of his personal notebooks and two pens.
In those final moments in his office, Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, CEO of the Boston Global Forum, joined him in conversation, reflection, and shared remembrance. Together they spoke of ideas, vision, and responsibility — themes that Professor Nye championed throughout his life — while photographs were taken to preserve this intimate moment.
These images stand as a moving testament to Professor Nye’s generosity, his intellectual gifts, and his enduring connection to the Boston Global Forum. His legacy as one of the world’s leading thinkers on power, leadership, and ethics will continue to inspire generations to come.
by Editor BGF | Oct 5, 2025 | News, Shaping Futures
Issued October 5, 2025 | Boston, MA
The Boston Global Forum (BGF) shares the deep concerns expressed by Professor Yoshua Bengio, one of the “Godfathers of AI,” regarding the existential risks posed by artificial intelligence systems capable of deception, self-directed goals, and the manipulation of human perception.
Professor Bengio’s reflections, as cited in the Wall Street Journal article “A ‘Godfather of AI’ Remains Concerned as Ever About Human Extinction,” echo BGF’s long-standing call for responsible, transparent, and democratic governance of AI. His warning — that advanced AI may one day act beyond human control — underscores the urgent need for global cooperation guided by ethical and humanitarian principles.
Since 2017, through initiatives such as the AI World Society (AIWS), the Social Contract for the AI Age, and the AIWS Government 24/7 model, BGF has advocated for a human-centered approach to AI — one that aligns technological progress with moral responsibility, safety, and the collective good.
As humanity stands at a crossroads between innovation and extinction, the Boston Global Forum calls for a new era of moral and scientific responsibility. The lessons of history and the warnings of visionaries like Bengio must guide us toward an AI future that enhances, not endangers, human civilization.
Nguyen Anh Tuan, Co-Founder, Co-Chair, and CEO of the Boston Global Forum, stated:
“Yoshua Bengio’s warning is not a message of fear but a call for responsibility. At BGF, we believe the future of AI must be built on moral intelligence — where human conscience guides machine capability. The Global Alliance on AI and Digital Governance will unite leaders, scientists, and innovators to ensure AI serves humanity, not the other way around.”
BGF will continue its work through the Boston Finance Accord for AI Governance 24/7, the AIWS Government 24/7, and the Global Alliance on AI and Digital Governance, to transform concern into coordinated, ethical action.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-godfather-of-ai-remains-concerned-as-ever-about-human-extinction-ec0fe932
