Former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta delivered a keynote speech at the BGF High-level Conference at Harvard University Faculty Club on April 26, 2023. Letta emphasized that the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) is unstoppable, and it is essential to manage the way in which it works and coordinate among countries to harness its benefits. He mentioned that AI improves the quality of life, enhances human abilities, saves lives, fosters scientific progress, and improves decision-making processes. However, he also discussed the risks associated with AI, such as data monopolies, surveillance technologies, cyber welfare, technological warfare, and the impact on local market transformations with social consequences.
Letta pointed out the need for coordination among different areas of the world, including the US, European Union, Japan, and India, to discuss AI development and regulation. He highlighted that all these democracies face existential threats, such as political polarization, extreme inequality, decline in public services, and democratic backsliding. He expressed concern about the rise of authoritarian models and the decline of multilateralism on various subjects, including trade, and the United Nations.
Letta stressed the need to link the discussion on the future of AI coordination to a strengthening of democracy and reacting to democratic fatigue. He noted that multilateralism falling apart is contributing to the rise of authoritarian models, and therefore, coordination among democracies is essential to address the challenges and benefits of AI.
A part of The Boston Global Forum and The Global Alliance for Digital Governance
Shared Framework for Global Governance AI Assistants and ChatGPT
Boston MA – Washington DC, April 30, 2023
Foundational Values:
The Boston Global Forum proposes to implement an action plan rooted in the shared values articulated, among others, by Former Prime Ministers Enrico Letta (Italy) and Zlatko Lagumdžija (Bosnia and Herzegovina) most recently at the April 26, 2023, High-Level Dialogues, of Benevolent Alliance, Cohesion, Inclusion, Collaboration, Mutual Trust, Harmony, Peace, Security, Excellence, and the Protection of Fundamental Democratic Freedoms and Human Rights of all global citizens. Zlatko Lagumdžija, himself a technocrat, emphasized in no uncertain terms that managing AI is essentially not so much about technological issues per se; but about the “soul” [of humanity].
Proposed Timeframe:
The BGF Action Plan will be implemented in two phases, in the short- and the long-term.
In the short term, the Boston Global Forum leaders will reinforce the existing alliance of major world democracies to include the United States (deep conversations ongoing), Japan (May-June 2023), the European Union (July 2023), and India (September 2023). In addition, they will reach out to the United Nations Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology Honorable Amandeep Singh (scheduled May 2, 2023), the US (late October 2023), the Vatican (in process, planning for October 2023), and potentially prominent civil society groups representative of countries in this alliance.
Representation of private sector technology will include the five major companies including Alphabet/Google, Amazon, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft among others. This should be accomplished by September 2023.
Moreover, the Boston Global Forum is launching the following longer-term initiatives, to continue through 2023 and beyond.
The Global Enlightenment Mountain
The Global Enlightenment Mountain is imagined as a high-level, deliberative complement to the “Silicon Valley” of the United States. Undergirding the Mountain vis a vis [Silicon] Valley metaphor is the aspiration of elevating the vast body of innovations in digital technology, emerging from the Silicon Valley, to its highest applications for the advancement of health and well-being, for greater common good, of all world citizens in this New Age of Global Enlightenment ushered in by its technological genius.
The Global Enlightenment Mountain Program, developed by the Boston Global Forum, is a revolutionary initiative aimed at connecting research centers, labs of leading universities, and pioneering technology innovation companies from various countries including the United States, Europe, Japan, India, Canada, Australia, South Korea, and Israel. By leveraging the collective knowledge and resources of these diverse regions, the program seeks to foster innovation and collaboration in the technology industry.
One of the key goals of the Global Enlightenment Mountain Program is to connect financial investment resources and talented human resources to participate in the development and deployment of AI for the larger global good. By pooling together resources from various sources, the program hopes to accelerate the pace of innovation and facilitate the creation of new products and technologies.
In addition, the program places a strong emphasis on understanding the needs of the market and society. By working closely with end-users and stakeholders, the program aims to identify areas where new technologies can create the greatest impact and support the development of products that meet these needs. Furthermore, the program provides support to create brands, go to market, and develop user communities, helping to ensure that new products and technologies are able to achieve widespread adoption and success.
Overall, the Global Enlightenment Mountain Program represents an exciting and innovative approach to fostering collaboration and innovation in the technology industry. Through its unique virtual model and focus on connecting resources and understanding market needs, the program is well positioned to drive meaningful change and shape the future of the digital era.
Leaders at the BGF High-level Conference April 26, 2023
I am excited to announce the founding of the Global Enlightenment Community, a collective of distinguished leaders, thinkers, innovators, artists, and business leaders dedicated to building a future based on the principles of AIWS – the Age of Global Enlightenment.
As we look to the future, it is clear that technology and innovation will play a crucial role in shaping the world we live in. However, it is equally clear that we must approach these developments with caution and care, lest we create a future that is unrecognizable and even dangerous.
That is why the Global Enlightenment Community is so important. By bringing together some of the brightest minds in the world, we can work together to ensure that technology and innovation are harnessed for the greater good. Together, we can chart a course towards a future that is both prosperous and just, and that benefits all members of society.
I invite all distinguished leaders, thinkers, innovators, artists, and business leaders who share our vision to join us in this important mission. Together, we can build a future that is worthy of our best aspirations and that reflects the values of Global Enlightenment.
Thank you, and I look forward to working with you all.
Sincerely,
Governor Michael Dukakis, Chair of Boston Global Forum
Governor Dukakis launches the Global Enlightenment Community
In her Distinguished Global Enlightenment Speech, Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed her gratitude for receiving the World Reader in Artificial Intelligence World Society Award 2023 from Governor Michael Dukakis. As the Minister in charge of Economic Security and Science and Technology Policy in Japan, she highlighted Japan’s pioneering role in Economic Security and its efforts to establish a Security Clearance System in this field. She also emphasized the importance of AI technology in supporting society and the economy and the need for a new strategy to respond appropriately to the emergence of generative AI systems. She thanked the Boston Global Forum for the honorable award and wished success for the conference.
It is my great honor today to give Japanese Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi the World Leader in AIWS Award for 2023.
Minister Takaichi has dedicated her career to promoting economic growth, social equity, and technological innovation in Japan and beyond.
Affiliated with Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party and a member of the House of Representatives since 1993, she has served as Japan’s Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, Minister of State for Okinawa and Northern Territories Affairs, Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy and, most recently, Minister of State for Economic Security.
In her latest position, she had made significant contributions to Japan’s national security and economic policies. She has been instrumental in strengthening Japan’s cybersecurity and protecting its critical infrastructure, including its power grids and financial system, from cyber-attacks. And she has been actively involved in developing Japan’s economic policies, including fostering innovation, investing in technology, addressing the nation’s labor shortage, and managing the country’s aging population.
Under her leadership, Japan has taken steps to improve its economic security, including the establishment of a new agency dedicated to cybersecurity and the development of a comprehensive strategy for promoting innovation and entrepreneurship. She has also played an important role in strengthening Japan’s economic and security relationships with other countries, including the United States.
More broadly, Minister Takaichi’s achievements and contributions as the Minister of State for Economic Security have focused on ensuring Japan’s long-term economic growth and stability, while also addressing the challenges posed by digital-age security threats. Her leadership in promoting responsible AI is a model for other leaders, a model that will ensure for all of us a more peaceful and prosperous world.
My warmest congratulations, on behalf of the Boston Global Forum and the AI World Society, to Minister Sanae Takaichi on this richly deserved award.
Governor Dukakis and leaders at BGF High-Level Conference April 26, 2023
Cambridge, Massachusetts – On April 26, 2023, the Boston Global Forum (BGF) will host the High-level Conference on AI Assistant Regulation Summit at the Harvard University Faculty Club. The event featured several distinguished speakers from around the world, including Sanae Takaichi, the Economic Security Minister of Japan, and Enrico Letta, the former Prime Minister of Italy.
Minister Takaichi will deliver a Distinguished Global Enlightenment Speech, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in the development and regulation of artificial intelligence. Sanae Takaichi is a Japanese politician who has served as the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, Minister of State for Okinawa and Northern Territories Affairs, and most recently, the Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy and Minister of State for Economic Security. She has been a member of the House of Representatives since 1993 and is affiliated with the Liberal Democratic Party.
As the Minister of State for Economic Security, Takaichi has made significant contributions to Japan’s national security and economic policies. She has been instrumental in strengthening Japan’s cybersecurity measures and protecting critical infrastructure, such as power grids and financial systems, from cyberattacks. She has also been actively involved in developing Japan’s economic policies, including initiatives to promote investment in technology and innovation, and measures to address the country’s aging population and labor shortages. Under Takaichi’s leadership, Japan has taken steps to improve its economic security, including the establishment of a new agency dedicated to cybersecurity and the development of a comprehensive strategy for promoting innovation and entrepreneurship. Takaichi has also played an important role in Japan’s relations with other countries, including the United States, and has worked to enhance cooperation on economic and security issues. Overall, Takaichi’s achievements and contributions as the Minister of State for Economic Security have been focused on ensuring Japan’s long-term economic growth and stability, while also addressing the challenges posed by evolving security threats in the digital age.
Former Prime Minister of Italy Enrico Letta will present keynote speech “Building Global Enlightenment Mountain and tech economic alliance between US, Japan, India and Europe.”
We, the Global Enlightenment Community, consisting of distinguished leaders, thinkers, strategists, innovators, artists, and business leaders from across the world, have gathered at the Boston Global Forum High-Level Conference on AI Assistant Regulation Summit to discuss the urgent need for government, civic, corporate action in AI advancement. As we celebrate Governor Michael Dukakis’s 90th birthday, Chairman of the Boston Global Forum, we recognize the critical role that he and other visionary leaders have played in promoting responsible AI development and governance.
Over the past few months, we have engaged in a series of high-level dialogues with distinguished leaders and thinkers from the US, Japan, Europe, India, and other regions, as well as with innovators from the Harvard University, MIT, Stanford, Silicon Valley, and policy makers from Boston, Tokyo, Rome, and other cities, to develop a regulatory framework for AI assistants and ChatGPT. We have called for research centers and laboratories to collaborate to create new values, optimize technological power, and realize the full potential of beneficial AI and encourage diverse and robust global markets and opportunities.
In addition to calling all national governments, civic societies, corporates to take action in regulating AI, the Global Enlightenment Community recognizes the importance of engaging with other key stakeholders, including leaders of the United Nations, Japan, US, Europe, and India, as well as leaders of different religions, to promote responsible and ethical AI development and governance.
Therefore, we propose organizing high-level delegations from the Global Enlightenment Community to meet and dialogue with these leaders in 2023. These delegations will comprise distinguished leaders, thinkers, and business leaders who will advocate for the development of a global regulatory framework and accord for AI and the need to ensure AI serves the best interests of humanity.
Through these dialogues, we aim to promote greater international cooperation and collaboration in the field of AI and to advance the goals of the Global Enlightenment Mountain and the Global Alliance for Digital Governance. We believe that concerted global efforts are necessary to address the urgent need for responsible AI development and governance, and to ensure that AI benefits all of humanity.
Therefore, we call upon national governments to take action and support the development of healthy AI that serves the best interests of people. This includes creating governance frameworks that ensure ethical and responsible AI development and governance based on international regulations and accords. We recognize that developing such frameworks is a complex task that requires the participation and collaboration of all stakeholders, including government, industry, academia, and civil society.
In this regard, the Boston Global Forum is proud to announce the Global Alliance for Digital Governance (GADG), which will coordinate the enforcement of oversight in the field of AI. This is a crucial step towards achieving the goals of the Global Enlightenment Mountain (GEM), a frontier initiative designed to create a virtual Silicon Valley model for the AI and digital era. GEM aims to connect research centers, labs of leading universities, and pioneering technology innovation companies from various countries, including the US, Japan, India, Europe, Canada, Australia, South Korea, and Israel.
We urge all governments, civic societies, and corporations to participate in setting the problems to be solved for GEM and to cooperate to create an overarching framework for viable and ethical AI development with robust governance. We must act now to ensure that AI is used to serve the best interests of humanity.
The Boston Global Forum is proud to host a high-level conference at Harvard University Faculty Club on April 26, 2023, featuring John Quelch, Emeritus Harvard professor and former Dean of three leading business schools. Quelch, who is also a co-founder of the Boston Global Forum, will speak on the timely topic “How to compete with China in the Age of AI and Data.” The conference promises to be a thought-provoking event, bringing together experts and leaders in the fields of technology, politics, and business to discuss critical issues facing our world today.
John A. Quelch CBE is the Charles Edward Wilson Professor Emeritus at Harvard Business School and former Dean of three leading business schools on three continents in London, Shanghai and Miami. He currently serves as non-executive chairman of the Globalpraxis management consultancy headquartered in Barcelona. A veteran non-executive director of ten listed companies, he is currently on the boards of Amerant Bancorp and several early stage and pre-IPO companies in the healthcare and financial services sectors. He served for nine years as Chairman of the Massachusetts Port Authority and for thirteen years as Honorary Consul General for Morocco in New England. He is a member of the Trilateral Commission, Council on Foreign Relations and American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is a graduate of Oxford (BA), Wharton (MBA) and Harvard (SM and DBA).
Boston – It is an honor and privilege to come together to celebrate the 90th birthday of Governor Michael Dukakis, a truly remarkable figure in American politics and a tireless advocate for progressive values. Throughout his life, Governor Dukakis has dedicated himself to public service, working tirelessly to promote social justice, protect the environment, and foster global cooperation. His leadership has inspired countless activists, policymakers, and citizens to strive for a better world.
To mark this special occasion, the Boston Global Forum is thrilled to announce the forthcoming publication of a Liber Amicorum Book titled “From the Massachusetts Miracle to the Age of Global Enlightenment.” This book is a tribute to Governor Dukakis’ remarkable legacy and features contributions from distinguished leaders, thinkers, innovators, and artists who reflect on his achievements and the impact of Boston Global Forum initiatives, including “Remaking the World – Toward an Age of Global Enlightenment,” AIWS, World Leaders for Peace and Security Award, World Leader in AIWS Award, and Global Enlightenment Mountain (GEM).
Governor Dukakis has been a tireless champion of the AIWS, the United Nations Centennial Initiative, and the Global Enlightenment Community, which is dedicated to supporting the mission of building the Age of Global Enlightenment. We invite leaders, thinkers, and innovators to contribute content to the book, with a submission deadline of August 31, 2023. The book will be published in late October 2023, and we look forward to sharing it with the world.
As we celebrate Governor Dukakis’ 90th birthday, we recognize the extraordinary contributions he has made to American and global politics as the Massachusetts Miracle. His visionary leadership and tireless commitment to public service have left an indelible mark on the world, and we are inspired to continue his work towards a more just, peaceful, and prosperous world.
