Good morning, everyone.
First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Governor Michael Dukakis, Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, and the Boston Global Forum for giving me the opportunity to speak at this meaningful discussion.
As someone who served as Japan’s State Minister of Defense and State Minister for Foreign Affairs, I see the development of AI in finance not only as a matter of innovation, but as a matter of trust, national security, and democratic integrity.
Let me begin with the Abe Financial AI Protocol. This protocol is deeply rooted in the legacy of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who championed the vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific and a rules-based international order.
Today, we are called upon to build a pioneering model of a Bank and Finance Ecosystem in the Age of AI. The Abe Financial AI Protocol provides the foundation for such a model grounded in transparency, accountability, and democratic values.
This means building AI-powered financial systems that are:
* Explainable
* Human centered
* Resilient against abuse or manipulation
Japan is ready to lead and participate in pilot projects alongside partners in the U.S., EU, and democratic Asia to ensure that our financial AI systems are not tools of exploitation, but pillars of trust and opportunity.
Now, with regard to the cybersecurity of this new kind of AI-driven financial system I would like to propose a three-layered approach:
1. Real-time threat detection using AI x AI AI-powered systems that detect anomalies and prevent intrusions by interacting with other AI in real-time.
2. Zero-trust architecture at every layer From authentication to transaction logging, nothing should be assumed as “safe by default.”
3. International Cyber-Command Cooperation Framework Just as central banks cooperate through BIS, we must form a coalition of cyber units across democratic nations, ensuring cross-border incident response and shared threat intelligence in real-time.
Japan, with its expertise in both cyber-defense and digital governance, can serve as a regional coordinator for this effort especially in Asia-Pacific.
Now, regarding the Boston Finance Accord for AI Governance 24/7 Finance never sleeps. And neither can our governance.
This Accord aims to create a real-time, always on ethical framework to govern AI in finance across borders, across time zones, across crises.
We must build a trust network among democratic nations with shared values, shared standards, and shared responsibility.
In building this new AI-powered financial ecosystem, one of my deepest concerns is this: How can we shield it from the destructive forces of terrorism, war, and authoritarian manipulation?
In today’s world, the line between physical conflict and digital conflict is disappearing. We need systems that are resilient, decentralized, and ethically grounded, so that even in times of geopolitical crisis, our financial systems continue to serve people — not power.
Ultimately, our goal should be to create an ecosystem that remains neutral, fair, and immune to coercion, no matter which side of the global struggle between democracy and authoritarianism one stands.
In closing, as we mark 80 years since the end of World War II, we are called to build new rules of peace and stability. Not through force, but through foresight. Not through fear, but through trust.
Let us work together to realize this vision, and to honor the legacy of leaders like Shinzo Abe. Thank you very much.
Yasuhide NAKAYAMA, Former Japanese State Minister of Foreign Affairs
Sam Altman, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and others may have slightly different goals, but their grand visions for the next decade and beyond are remarkably similar.
They include aligning AI with the interests of humanity; creating an artificial superintelligence that will solve all the world’s most pressing problems; merging with that superintelligence to achieve immortality (or something close to it); establishing a permanent, self-sustaining colony on Mars; and, ultimately, spreading out across the cosmos.
Three features play a central role with powering these visions, says Adam Becker, a science writer and astrophysicist: an unshakable certainty that technology can solve any problem, a belief in the necessity of perpetual growth, and a quasi-religious obsession with transcending our physical and biological limits.
In his timely new book, More Everything Forever: AI Overlords, Space Empires, and Silicon Valley’s Crusade to Control the Fate of Humanity, Becker reveals how these fantastical visions conceal a darker agenda.
Date: June 2021
In June 2021, the Boston Global Forum (BGF) and the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) co-published the book “Remaking the World – Toward an Age of Global Enlightenment”, marking a pivotal moment in the history of artificial intelligence. Edited by Nguyen Anh Tuan, this work introduced the AI World Society (AIWS) model, a pioneering initiative launched by BGF in 2017. The book presents a visionary framework for integrating AI into politics, economics, governance, education, healthcare, innovation, technology, and culture, featuring contributions, include Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis, UNAI’s Founding and First Chief Ramu Damodaran, Harvard’s Professor Joseph Nye, MIT’s Professor Alex Pentland, Internet pioneer Vint Cerf, and UCLA’s Professor Judea Pearl.
This collaborative effort outlined bold concepts and solutions—such as ethical AI governance, global digital inclusion, and cultural innovation—that have begun to materialize.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak presents the book Remaking the World – Toward an Age of Global Enlightenment to Mr. Nguyen Van Nen, a high-ranking Vietnamese leader, in August 2022
Today, more than one billion people of African descent live across the globe—most of them women. Despite their resilience, creativity, and proven potential, African and African-descendant women continue to face deeply rooted, interconnected challenges. These include limited access to quality education and capital, underrepresentation in leadership and decision-making roles, persistent digital divides, and the marginalization of their cultural and historical heritage.
In response to these systemic disparities, the ADWIN Foundation—African and African-Descendant Women Impact Network—was established as the first global initiative of its kind. ADWIN is dedicated to empowering African and African-descendant women through solidarity, technology, and social innovation. The foundation aims to build an inclusive and sustainable future by connecting women across the African continent and the global diaspora with the knowledge, tools, networks, and opportunities they need to thrive.
This mission took a major step forward in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, a vibrant nation championing gender equity. On June 5th and 6th, the prestigious Sofitel Hôtel Ivoire hosted women leaders from Africa, the African Diaspora, and around the world for two transformative days of connection, inspiration, and empowerment.
The event focused on five key pillars: WinSkills, WinWell, WinCapital, WinConfidence, and WinHeritage—each representing an essential domain of growth and empowerment. It brought together an extraordinary gathering of dignitaries, including ministers, queens, and first ladies, all united in their commitment to gender equity and the advancement of African and African-descendant women.
During the event, Elisabeth Moreno, former French Minister and Executive Board Member of the Boston Global Forum, officially launched the ADWIN network.
With this launch, ADWIN emerges as a powerful, united community committed to advancing growth, leadership, and solidarity among women of African descent. Its mission is to honor their rich and diverse backgrounds while equipping them with the resources and support systems needed to flourish both personally and professionally.
Together, we are building a global movement that celebrates shared heritage, champions achievement, and forges a stronger, more united future.
The Boston Global Forum (BGF) is pleased to introduce a groundbreaking new paper by BGF Board Member Professor Alex Pentland and BGF Contributor Thomas Kehler, titled:
“Amplifying Human Creativity and Problem Solving with AI Through Generative Collective Intelligence”
This insightful work explores how AI—when designed as a facilitator of Generative Collective Intelligence—can significantly enhance human creativity, collaboration, and complex problem-solving. The paper offers a powerful framework for building systems that combine human insight and machine learning to support democratic governance, innovation, and ethical decision-making in the Age of AI.
As part of BGF’s continued mission to shape a human-centered future with AI, we encourage scholars, technologists, and policymakers to engage with this important contribution.
