by Editor BGF | Oct 6, 2024 | News
Israeli former prime minister says in interview it is too late to significantly set back Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, and that a ‘massive’ attack on Iran’s oil facilities is likely
Israel is likely to mount a large-scale airstrike against Iran’s oil industry and possibly a symbolic attack on a military target related to its nuclear programme, former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak has predicted.
Barak said there was no doubt there would be an Israeli military response to Iran’s assault on Tuesday with over 180 ballistic missiles, most of which were intercepted, but some landed on and around densely populated areas and Israeli military bases.
“Israel has a compelling need, even an imperative, to respond. I think that no sovereign nation on Earth could fail to respond,” Barak said in an interview.
The former prime minister, who also served as defence minister, foreign minister and army chief of staff, said the model for the Israeli response could be seen in Sunday’s reprisal airstrikes against Houthi-controlled oil facilities, power plants and docks in the Yemeni port of Hodeidah, a day after Houthi fired missiles aimed at Israel’s international airport outside Tel Aviv.
Prime Minister Ehud Barak is a Boston Global Forum Global Enlightenment Leader.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/04/israel-may-launch-symbolic-attack-on-iran-nuclear-facilities-says-ehud-barak
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-823165
by Editor BGF | Oct 6, 2024 | Global Alliance for Digital Governance
As the world faces rapid change and competition over AI, Japan’s step-up is significant for the East Asian region but also the wider world.
The deterioration of security in the Indo-Pacific has generated a great deal of discussion in Japan about the sustainability of the pacificist provisions in its constitution. Not surprisingly, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a key factor in any potential shifting of this position.
One only has to look at the government’s second AI White Paper, which called for Japan to become the “world’s most AI-friendly country.” It further asserted that as the world enters a period of flux – more dynamic in all aspects of technology, services, utilization, and regulation – nations with the best “understanding of AI and the easiest implementation of AI” are likely to prosper. For the Japanese government, this entails strengthening competitiveness, maximizing profits, and minimizing risks.
Please read more: https://thediplomat.com/2024/10/can-japan-become-the-worlds-most-ai-friendly-country/
BGF contributed the 2023 report “The Shinzo Abe Initiative 2nd Conference
Japan’s Prominence in the New Age of Global Enlightenment”: https://bostonglobalforum.org/reports/the-shinzo-abe-initiative-2nd-conference-japans-prominence-in-the-new-age-of-global-enlightenment-3/
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/
by Editor BGF | Sep 29, 2024 | Event Updates, News
As part of its AI World Society (AIWS) initiative, the Boston Global Forum (BGF) is convening a significant discussion among distinguished leaders, policymakers, eminent thinkers, and business leaders. The goal is to explore strategies and solutions for leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to strengthen democracy, win over totalitarian systems in the AI battle, and create a new democracy characterized by opportunities, stability, growth, and cooperation among nations.
The focus is on gaining a strategic advantage over dictatorial and totalitarian regimes that misuse AI technologies and engage in unfair competition in the AI economy.
Recognizing the potential for democracies to achieve a significant advantage in the AI-driven economy and society, the discussions will center on how democratic nations can harness AI to outperform authoritarian systems economically and socially. The event will also highlight the challenges, threats, and dangers posed by totalitarian and dictatorial regimes, as well as strategies to overcome these challenges and prevail over authoritarian systems.
Discussion Objectives:
- Develop Strategies: Formulate effective approaches for democratic nations to utilize AI in promoting the values and institutions that have enabled these nations to flourish for centuries.
- Gain Economic Advantage: Identify practical ways for democracies to achieve a significant advantage in the AI economy and society, enabling them to outperform authoritarian systems economically and socially, achieve economic growth, stability, and provide jobs in the AI economy.
- Counter Abuse of AI: Explore methods to prevent and mitigate the misuse of AI by actors that threaten global peace and security and engage in unfair competition in the AI economy.
- Counter Authoritarian Regimes in the AI Economy: Develop models, strategies, and solutions for the new democracy to overcome threats from totalitarian systems, ensuring that the new democracy wins in the battle of the AI economy.
- Establish an Ecosystem of AI Economy in Democracies: Strengthen international cooperation among democratic nations in the AI economy, AI governance, and business communities.
Event Details:
- Date and Time: Starting from October 3, 2024
- Format: Combination of in-person and virtual participation.
- Participation: By invitation; summaries and outcomes will be shared with the broader community.
The Boston Global Forum believes that by leveraging AI responsibly, democracies can not only protect but also advance their economic interests and societal values through the AI World Society, a pioneering initiative from 2017. This high-level discussion aims to create actionable strategies that will enable democratic nations to prevail over totalitarian and dictatorial systems, securing a prosperous and free future in the Age of AI.
We encourage all interested parties to stay tuned for updates and join us in this vital conversation about the new democracy in the Age of AI.
For more information and updates, please visit www.bostonglobalforum.org.
by Editor BGF | Sep 22, 2024 | Shinzo Abe Initiative for Peace and Security, News
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A banquet was held in Taipei on Friday (Sept. 20), organized by the Friends of Shinzo Abe Association in Taiwan, to celebrate the recipient of this year’s Shinzo Abe Award, established by the Boston Global Forum (BGF) to honor the former Japanese leader’s contributions to global peace and democracy.
This year’s recipient of the award is Dr. Mark Chen (陳唐山), who is the founding chair of the Friends of Shinzo Abe Association. Chen is also a former lawmaker, Tainan County Magistrate, and chair of the Prospect Foundation. He has been a consistent advocate for Taiwan’s sovereignty.
Chen was recognized for his “exemplary leadership” and significant contributions to fostering good relations between Taiwan and Japan over many years of public service, per BGF. His promotion of democratic values and defense of human rights in in line with Shinzo Abe’s (安倍晋三) vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
Friday’s banquet also celebrated the Japanese leader’s life with a “70th Memorial Event” as he would have turned 70 this year, per BGF. Guests at the banquet received a Chinese translation of Abe’s memoirs, the first such translation to be published.
The annual award honors the Japanese leader’s legacy while also serving as a platform to celebrate leaders who contribute to the strengthening of democratic ideals and the protection of human rights in Asia and throughout the world, reported Newtalk.
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/5939492
https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/zh/news/5939182
https://newtalk.tw/news/view/2024-09-20/937134
News from The Central News Agency
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aipl/202409210097.aspx?utm_medium=app&utm_source=cna.app&utm_campaign=inapp_share
https://www.youtube.com/live/PpTqfssqC3Q?si=YVna9AxH1q2kxepX
