by Editor | Jun 9, 2024 | News
Pope Francis praises the Focolare Movement for fostering interreligious dialogue and for their efforts in unity, mutual respect, and peacebuilding.
By Francesca Merlo
This article was originally published on Vatican News -BGF
Greeting members of the Focolare Movement, in Rome for an Interreligious Conference, Pope Francis opened with a moment of solidarity with the Movement’s President, Margaret Karram, born in Israel to a Palestinian family. As he greeted her the Holy Father assured her of his prayers for her homeland, which he said is “suffering so much at this time”.
Speaking after the event, the President of the Movement described her interpretation of the Pope’s words as being that the Holy Father “prays for my land, where two peoples live and two peoples suffer”.
In line with this, Pope Francis highlighted the Focolare Movement’s perseverance in “fostering unity with people of non-Christian religions who share the spirituality of unity”.
This, he said, is an experience which is “animated by the Holy Spirit, rooted, we can say, in the heart of Christ, in his thirst for love, communion and fraternity”.
Opening the path of encounter
Pope Francis continued by emphasising that it is indeed the Spirit who “opens paths of dialogue and encounter”, adding that at times they are “surprising ones”. An example of this, said the Pope, took place more than fifty years ago in Algeria, “when an all-Muslim community adhering to the Movement was born”. This interreligious dialogue has flourished over time, “as evidenced by your presence today”, he added.
The Holy Father then went on to address the foundation of this experience, which he described as being “the love of God expressed through mutual love, listening, trust, hospitality and getting to know one another, all the while fully respecting each other’s identities”. Over time, he continued, friendship and cooperation have grown in seeking to respond together to the cry of the poor, in caring for creation, and in working for peace.
The dream of unity
“Through this journey, some non-Christian brothers and sisters have shared in the spirituality of the Work of Mary, or in some of its characteristic traits, and live according to them amongst their own people” noted the Pope. He explained that we transcend dialogue with these men and women with whom we feel like brothers and sisters, sharing the dream of a more united world, in the harmony of diversity.
Bringing his address to a close, Pope Francis, reminded those present that their witness is “a source of joy and consolation, especially in this time of conflict, when religion is often misused in order to fuel division”. For this reason, he concluded, “Interreligious Dialogue is a necessary condition for peace in the world”.
credit: Vatican Media
by Editor | Jun 9, 2024 | News
On June 1, 2024, the International Inter-religious Conference at the Vatican marked a historic milestone with the groundbreaking ideas presented by Boston Global Forum (BGF) CEO Nguyen Anh Tuan. During the panel titled “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Interpersonal Relationships and Between Religions,” Tuan called upon all participants of the conference, leaders of religions, distinguished thinkers, innovators, and companies to join in taking action for equality of opportunities in AI.
In his address, Nguyen Anh Tuan emphasized the crucial role of interfaith and interreligious cooperation in the era of artificial intelligence. He introduced BGF’s Knowledge Platform for AI and announced that the Boston Global Forum would collaborate with religious leaders to ensure equality of opportunity for every person, company, country, and religion in AI. This initiative aims to foster a new democracy, happiness, and safety for humanity.
Pope Francis delivered a welcome speech to participants of the conference on June 3, 2024, at the Clementine Hall, Vatican.
BGF will work with recipients of the World Leader Award, including Ursula von der Leyen, Andreas Norlén, Sanae Takaichi, Amandeep Gill, Alondra Nelson, and Vint Cerf, for this noble mission. Together with the Focolare Movement and other religious organizations, they will champion the cause of equality of opportunities in AI, ensuring that the benefits of AI are accessible to all, regardless of their background or beliefs.
BGF will announce an action plan for this goal on July 1, 2024. They are open to working and cooperating with every organization and individual who shares this vision.
by Editor | Apr 28, 2024 | Papers & Reports, News, Publications
The PDF of this publication can be viewed here — AIWS: Pioneering AI Governance and New Democracy
Yasuhide Nakayama
Martin Nkafu Nkemnkia
David Lovejoy
AIWS: Pioneering AI Governance and New Democracy
Since its inception in November 2017, the Artificial Intelligence World Society (AIWS), founded by the Boston Global Forum (BGF), has been at the forefront of shaping the governance of artificial intelligence (AI) and fostering new models of democracy. Through collaborations with global leaders and top AI thinkers, AIWS has introduced innovative initiatives and frameworks aimed at harnessing AI for the betterment of society.
World Leader in AI World Society Award
Boston Global Forum annually recognizes and honors distinguished leaders for their exemplary leadership and contributions in promoting AI for a better world with the World Leader in AIWS Award starting from 2018.
BGF organizes the Conference “Governing the Future: AI, Democracy, and Humanity” on April 30, 2024, at the prestigious Harvard University Loeb House to honor Alondra Nelson, former Deputy Assistant to President Joe Biden, former Acting Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, with the 2024 World Leader in AIWS Award. This conference served as a platform to recognize Nelson’s exceptional contributions to AI governance and to explore the intersection of AI, democracy, and humanity.
The prestigious award recognizes Dr. Nelson’s outstanding contributions to shaping global public policy, the governance of artificial intelligence (AI), and our understanding of the societal dimensions of AI development and deployment.
During her tenure at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), Dr. Nelson spearheaded the development of the “Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights,” which was incorporated into both President Biden’s historic executive order on artificial intelligence and enacted into policy for the federal government. In leadership at OSTP, she also provided guidance to expand taxpayer access to federally funded research, served as an inaugural member of the Biden Cancer Cabinet, strengthened evidence-based policymaking, and galvanized a multisector strategy to advance equity and excellence in STEM.
Prior recipients of the AIWS World Leader Award have included Ambassador Amandeep Singh Gill, the United Nations Envoy on Technology; Stavros Lambrinidis, European Union Ambassador to the United States; Internet pioneer Vint Cerf; and Sanae Takaichi, the Japanese Minister of State for Economic Security.
AIWS Contributes AI Governance to G7 Summit from 2018: Next Generation Democracy
At the BGF-G7 Summit in 2018, AIWS unveiled the groundbreaking AIWS 7-Layer Model to Build Next Generation Democracy. This model serves as a roadmap for a future where AI is leveraged to enhance creativity, innovation, tolerance, democracy, and individual rights. It emphasizes the role of AI in assisting government decision-making and empowering citizens to participate in governance.
The following year, at the AIWS-G7 Summit Initiative in 2019, held at Harvard University’s Loeb House, AIWS introduced the concept of The Next Generation Democracy – AI World Society. This initiative envisions a society where AI fosters transparency, inclusivity, and citizen engagement in governance. It comprises three key components: AI-Government, AI-Citizen, and AI Government Index, aimed at promoting accountability and efficiency in government operations.
Collaborate with Club de Madrid from 2019: the Social Contract for the AI Age and AIWS Model
In 2020, the collaboration between Club de Madrid and BGF resulted in the Policy Lab ‘Transatlantic Approaches on Digital Governance,’ where former heads of state and government, along with experts, discussed global policies for managing digital technologies and AI. The lab announced the Social Contract for the AI Age and supported AI World Society, urging world leaders to endorse and implement it.
Continuing its efforts, Club de Madrid and BGF launched a five-year initiative in 2021 to develop a human-centered agenda for digital transformation and governance. This initiative aims to build global consensus around principles that prioritize human rights and ethical considerations in digital societies.
At the Policy Lab ‘Fundamental Rights in AI & Digital Societies’ in 2021, the Global Alliance for Digital Governance (GADG) was established, fostering collaboration between BGF and the World Leadership Alliance-Club de Madrid to address the ethical and legal challenges posed by AI.
In 2020, the Boston Global Forum and the Riga Conferences collaborate for platforms for discussing AI governance and societal implications. Notably, the publication of the policy brief “Social Contract for the Artificial Intelligence Age” at the Riga Conference 2020 underscored the importance of safety, security, and sustainability in the AI era.
Collaboration with the United Nations in AI Governance from 2019: Remaking the World – Toward an Age of Global Enlightenment
In 2021, the Boston Global Forum and the Riga Conference 2021 collaborated to organize a special event: “Remaking the World – The Second Age of Enlightenment – The United Nations 2045”. This discussion was a notable highlight of the Rīga Conference 2021 and was co-organized by the Latvian Transatlantic Organisation and the Boston Global Forum.
The event aimed to commemorate the United Nations Centennial initiative, launched by the Boston Global Forum (BGF) and the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) in 2019. This initiative was established as the United Nations prepared to mark its 75th anniversary in the following year, with a vision to anticipate the world and the United Nations in 2045, the year of the world organization’s centennial.
Key messages from the event highlighted the core concepts outlined in the book “Remaking the World: Toward an Age of Global Enlightenment”. These concepts include the idea of a Social Contract for the Artificial Intelligence (AI) age, a framework for an AI international accord, an ecosystem for the “AI World Society” (AIWS), and a community innovation economy. The event brought together some of the finest minds of our times to envision a future where AI is harnessed to foster global enlightenment and societal progress.
The Riga Conference 2023 published the Boston Global Forum Special Report “How to Govern AI in an Age of Global Tension” as the Policy Brief of the Riga Conference 2023.
C20-G20 Summit 2023 in India: Recognize AI World Society and the Social Contract for the AI Age
At the C20-G20 Summit in India in 2023, the recognition of the Social Contract for the AI Age and AI World Society highlighted the global significance of AI governance and the need for international cooperation.
Through its pioneering initiatives and collaborations, AIWS continues to drive conversations and actions toward a future where AI is harnessed responsibly to benefit humanity and advance democratic principles on a global scale.
President of European Commission Ursula von der Leyen highlighted in her speech at the Boston Global Forum Conference on December 12, 2020: “It is such an honour to be here with you today. At the Boston Global Forum and Michael Dukakis Institute for Leadership and Innovation, you are at the forefront of research and debate. And you definitely work on some of the world’s most pressing issues. You drive the discussion on digital policy and how a human-centric approach on AI could look like. This is an issue whose importance simply cannot be overestimated.”
by Editor | Jun 2, 2024 | News
The drama in the Four Pillars topic last week revolved around the questions over allowing Ukraine to strike Russia with NATO supplied weapons. While most European members, such as Denmark, Poland, France, Germany, have publically approved usage, the US, a Pillar, remains wavering or ambiguous. It is said that the Biden administration allowed some, but not all, weapons to be used on Russia, and the White House has denied allowing Ukraine to use specific weaponries, as reported in the media. Hopefully this is some strategic ambiguity rather than a flip-flop or wavering commitment from the US, a Pillar, when the defense of Europe, another Pillar, against the Russia-China danger hinges on the situation in Ukraine. In fact, NATO members have been debating whether or not to shoot down Russian drones and missiles over Ukrainian airspace – perhaps a quasi-no-fly-zone.
In the meantime, it seems that Russia’s offensive on Kharkiv has stalled for now, but one should wait and see when the fog of war is lifted in this theatre. However, as the war continues to wear on both soldiers and civilians alike, time is not in Ukraine’s favor unfortunately. The ammunition famine has been well reported, but the high quantity of the dead is starting to take a toll on performance and economy.
At the Shangri La Dialogue, there continues to be the bridging between the Four Pillars, or the three in the Indo-Pacific of the US, Japan, and India. The US and India have signed agreements on co-producing Strykers – one of the most advanced armored vehicles available right now, perhaps a gesture of good faith from the US. This means that both countries are looking to continue upgrading and strengthening their relationship, especially against China.
Japan has also continued to develop and mend relations with its non-PRC neighbors, as ties between Japan and South Korea have been warming in recent years due to the rising threat of China. However, both countries would do well to maintain this new but somewhat uneasy relationship even after the current leaders of both countries are no longer in power – for this is not just the Pillars’ interest to demonstrate a front of unity against Russia and China, but for the whole Indo-Pacific region too.
Articles of the week – Inside the NATO debate over protecting Ukraine’s skies [Semafor]; Ukraine Is Running Short of People [Bloomberg]
REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/File Photo
Minh Nguyen is the Chief Editor of the Boston Global Forum and a Shinzo Abe Initiative Fellow. She writes the Four Pillars column in the BGF Weekly newsletter.
by Editor | Jun 2, 2024 | News
On June 1, 2024, the International Inter-religious Conference at the Vatican marked a historic milestone with the groundbreaking ideas presented by Boston Global Forum CEO Nguyen Anh Tuan. At the panel titled “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Interpersonal Relationships and Between Religions.”
In his address, Nguyen Anh Tuan emphasized the crucial role of interfaith and interreligious cooperation in the era of artificial intelligence. He introduces BGF’s the Knowledge Platform for AI, Tuan announced that the Boston Global Forum would collaborate with religious leaders to ensure Equality of Opportunity for every person, company, and country in AI, fostering a new democracy, happiness, and safety for humanity.
Approximately a thousand participants representing seven major religions attended this significant event. The panel featured testimonials from individuals of various faiths, highlighting the profound impact of AI on their communities. Fadi Chehade, in dialogue with the youth, and Nguyen Anh Tuan’s compelling insights were key highlights of the session.
Following Tuan’s presentation, numerous participants and organizations eagerly approached him to discuss potential collaborations with BGF in this initiative. The enthusiasm and interest demonstrated the global resonance of his ideas and the potential for wide-reaching partnerships.
The panel moderator posed three thought-provoking questions to Nguyen Anh Tuan:
- Ethical Challenges of AI in Diverse Applications:
“Speaking of AI today, we face an ethical challenge. If, for example, on the one hand, there are positive advances in medical robotics, on the other hand, we have a major influence on weaponry (e.g., armed drones and LAWS). What is the situation, and how do morals and ethics stand on such important issues?”
- The Drive Behind BGF’s AI Ethical and Governance Initiative:
“We know that with the Boston Global Forum, you have done a lot of work on this topic with an innovative project that puts ethical knowledge with influences from various religions at the service of AI. What prompted you to do this?”
- Addressing Big Tech’s Dominance in AI:
“How do we solve the problem of big tech dominating the market and AI?”
Nguyen Anh Tuan’s responses underscored the importance of ethical considerations and the integration of diverse religious perspectives in shaping AI’s future. His vision for a balanced and inclusive AI landscape resonated deeply with the audience, sparking further discussions on collaborative efforts to achieve these goals.
The event at Castel Gandolfo not only highlighted the intersection of technology and faith but also set the stage for a united global effort towards an equitable and ethical AI-driven future. The Boston Global Forum’s commitment to this cause promises to drive significant advancements in AI governance and interfaith cooperation, paving the way for a more just and prosperous world.
