Happy Lunar New Year 2024

Happy Lunar New Year 2024

Dear friends and readers,

As we welcome the Lunar New Year, Governor Michael Dukakis, Chair of the Boston Global Forum, and Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, CEO of the Boston Global Forum, extend our warmest congratulations and best wishes to all.

May 2024 bring joy, prosperity, and fulfillment to all around the globe. In these challenging times, let us strive for a world marked by peace, security, and effective and smart decision-making.

Our heartfelt wishes go out to the people affected by conflicts, particularly those in Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Palestine, Sudan, and beyond. May the new year bring an end to these conflicts, giving way lasting peace and stability to the regions.

We express our hope that the AI World Society model will continue to serve as a catalyst for positive change, fostering collaboration, understanding, and innovation on a global scale. Let us work together to harness the power of technology for the betterment of humanity.

Happy Lunar New Year to all, and may the year ahead be one of harmony, progress, and unity.

 

Sincerely,

Governor Michael Dukakis, Chair of the Boston Global Forum

Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, CEO of the Boston Global Forum

 

Shinzo Abe Peace and Security Conference in Tokyo, March 28, 2024

Shinzo Abe Peace and Security Conference in Tokyo, March 28, 2024

The Boston Global Forum will host a Shinzo Abe Peace and Security Conference this spring. Distinguished leaders, scholars, and professionals from various fields will meet in Tokyo on March 28, 2024, to engage in critical discussions addressing pressing global challenges.

The conference will place a particular focus on exploring sustainable solutions for peace and security in regions of significant geopolitical concern. Thought leaders will discuss the crisis in the Middle East and the war between Ukraine and Russia. Additionally, the conference will deliberate on strategies to navigate the rising tensions in the Asia-Pacific between China and its neighbors (Japan, Taiwan, India, etc).

A key highlight of the event will be the discussion surrounding the AIWS Natural AI Initiative. Renowned experts such as Yutaka Matsuo from the University of Tokyo and Hiroshi Ishiguro will contribute their insights towards the development of AIWS Angel, a groundbreaking example of Natural AI. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between artificial and natural intelligence, showcasing the potential of technology to serve humanity in profound ways.

Moreover, the conference will pay homage to the efforts of Japanese young leaders through the prestigious Shinzo Abe Award for Young Leaders in the Age of Global Enlightenment. This accolade seeks to recognize and celebrate the contributions of the younger generation towards fostering peace, security, and positive global change.

The Shinzo Abe Peace and Security Conference promises to be a dynamic platform, bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise to chart a course towards a more secure and harmonious world. We look forward to the insightful discussions and collaborative efforts that will emerge from this event.

Europe within reach of landmark AI rules after nod from EU countries

Europe within reach of landmark AI rules after nod from EU countries

Europe on Friday moved a step closer to adopting rules governing the use of artificial intelligence and AI models such as Microsoft-backed ChatGPT after EU countries endorsed a political deal reached in December.

The rules, proposed by the European Commission three years ago, aim to set a global standard for a technology used in a vast swathe of industries from banking and retail to the car and airline sectors.
They also set parameters for the use of AI for military, crime and security purposes.
EU industry chief Thierry Breton said the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act is historical and a world first.
“Today member states endorsed the political agreement reached in December, recognising the perfect balance found by the negotiators between innovation and safety,” he said in a statement.
A major concern of experts is that generative AI has boosted deepfakes – realistic yet fabricated videos created by AI algorithms trained on copious online footage – which surface on social media, blurring fact and fiction in public life.
EU digital chief Margrethe Vestager said the spread of fake sexually explicit images of pop singer Taylor Swift on social media in recent days underscored the need for the new rules.
“What happened to @taylorswift13 tells it all: the #harm that #AI can trigger if badly used, the responsibility of #platforms, & why it is so important to enforce #tech regulation,” she said on X social platform.
Friday’s agreement was a foregone conclusion after France, the last holdout, dropped its opposition to the AI Act after securing strict conditions that balance transparency versus business secrets and reduce the administrative burden on high risk AI systems.
The aim is to allow competitive AI models to develop in the bloc, an EU diplomatic official told Reuters earlier on Friday. The official declined to be named because they were not authorised to comment publicly on the issue.
French AI start-up Mistral, founded by former Meta and Google AI researchers, and Germany’s Aleph Alpha have been lobbying their respective governments on the issue, sources said.
Germany earlier this week also backed the rules. Tech lobbying group CCIA which counts Alphabet’s Google, Amazon, Apple and Meta Platforms as members, warned of roadblocks ahead.
“Many of the new AI rules remain unclear and could slow down the development and roll-out of innovative AI applications in Europe,” CCIA Europe’s Senior Policy Manager Boniface de Champris said.
“The Act’s proper implementation will therefore be crucial to ensuring that AI rules do not overburden companies in their quest to innovate and compete in a thriving, highly dynamic market.”
The next step for the AI Act to become legislation is a vote by a key committee of EU lawmakers on Feb. 13 and the European Parliament vote either in March or April. It will likely enter into force before the summer and should apply in 2026 although parts of the legislation will kick in earlier.

AI Artificial intelligence words, miniature of robot and EU flag are seen in this illustration taken December 21, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic

From the heritage of Prime Minister Abe: Japan must take its Global South vision forward in 2024

From the heritage of Prime Minister Abe: Japan must take its Global South vision forward in 2024

BGF recalls how the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, 2015 World Leader for Peace and Security Award, first spoke of the concept of a free and open Indo-Pacific region at the 2016 Tokyo International Conference on African Development.

The term “Indo-Pacific” then began to rapidly spread internationally. In November 2017, in response to Abe’s speech, then-U.S. President Donald Trump announced his own free and open Indo-Pacific strategy in remarks to the APEC CEO Summit in Danang, Vietnam. This signified Washington’s embrace of the notion that a geopolitical narrative linking the Pacific and Indian Oceans as one region is in the national interest of the U.S.

The administration of President Joe Biden has kept with this framing. Other governments, including ASEAN, major European countries and Canada have also announced their own Indo-Pacific strategies.

Japan’s Global South vision can achieve similar geopolitical significance. But doing so requires us to weave a story that will interest the U.S. and the international community.

It is worth noting that some media observers see the “Indo-Pacific” term as a framing intended to compete with China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Japan-must-take-its-Global-South-vision-forward-in-2024

Shinzo Abe first talked of the concept of a free and open Indo-Pacific region at the 2016 Tokyo International Conference on African Development. © Reuters

What to do in the Middle East, and Sweden’s NATO ascension: Roundup on the Four Pillars

What to do in the Middle East, and Sweden’s NATO ascension: Roundup on the Four Pillars

In the midst of all the conflicts and airstrikes in the Middle East, another flashpoint has arisen. American installations have been attacked in Iraq and other locations in the region, but none of them have been lethal – until now. Recently, there was a lethal drone attack on an American base in Jordan, leading to three casualties and over two dozen injured. Even though there were attacks in the previous months, they were simply struggled off, and now they can’t be ignored. This is a difficult needle for the Pillars to thread, as it is unwise to continue pouring more resources and investment into the region when there should be focus on the Asia-Pacific region, but not retaliating to such attacks would be weak posturing.

Something else that could cripple the strength of the Pillars is the decision by the Biden administration to halt LNG exports. At a time when American energy production is at its peak, this move would hamper European energy independence, especially vis-a-vis Russia and other authoritarian states. Even though environmental implications are understandable, this would only help destabilize and demotivate the democratic effort in the globe.

Finally, Turkey and Hungary have stopped their opposition to Sweden’s ascension into NATO, with the Turkish Parliament voted in favor of ascension, and Hungary caved in from pressure (most likely regarding fighter jets). This has the implications of turning the Baltic Sea into a NATO lake, and helps with a more cohesive defense position for Europe, one of the Pillars, and North America. It is the rare good news in a week of concerns and crises.

Shutterstock/Richard Whitcombe

David Silbersweig, Thomas Patterson and Nguyen Anh Tuan inspire the Vietnam AI Forum 2024 with AIWS Natural AI

David Silbersweig, Thomas Patterson and Nguyen Anh Tuan inspire the Vietnam AI Forum 2024 with AIWS Natural AI

On January 24, 2024, Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, the CEO of Boston Global Forum (BGF), alongside Harvard professors and BGF Board members David Silbersweig and Thomas Patterson, ignited inspiration at the Vietnam AI Forum through the lens of AIWS Natural AI. This initiative, a collaborative effort between Boston Global Forum and the Active Inference Institute, not only offered valuable insights but also provided Vietnam with an opportunity to embrace pioneering initiatives and ideas in the field of artificial intelligence. The event marked a significant moment for the country to advance its understanding and engagement in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI.

Videos:

News on VietNamNet:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isiRM3_8m08

Harvard Professor Thomas E. Patterson speaks about AIWS Natural AI at Vietnam AI Forum

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYePGsRLmp4

Harvard Professor David Silbersweig speaks about AIWS Natural AI at Vietnam AI Forum

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPvzLBD8v5c

 

Articles on VietNamNet (Vietnamese):

https://vietnamnet.vn/tao-dung-vi-the-viet-nam-trong-ky-nguyen-khai-sang-toan-cau-2243290.html

https://vietnamnet.vn/ky-nguyen-ai-va-giac-mo-cua-nguoi-viet-2244700.html

 

Taylor Swift deepfakes, fake Biden robocalls have lawmakers pushing for stronger AI laws

Taylor Swift deepfakes, fake Biden robocalls have lawmakers pushing for stronger AI laws

After deepfake images of Taylor Swift and fake robocalls of Joe Biden’s voice were spread on social media platforms this week, lawmakers are pushing for stronger guardrails on the usage of Artificial Intelligence.

Clyde Vanel, a Democrat who is the Chair of the New York State Subcommittee on Internet and New Technology, said that process began in September, when Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation regarding deepfakes.

What happened to Taylor Swift is illegal in New York,” Vanel said “It’s a class A misdemeanor for someone to knowingly or recklessly publish a generated photo or visual depiction of someone with sexual explicit content. We have to let the public know what we have in place. We have to let them know this is wrong, and we will prosecute these kinds of actions.

President Joe Biden speaks during a United Auto Workers’ political convention, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

https://abc3340.com/news/nation-world/taylor-swift-deepfakes-fake-biden-robocalls-have-lawmakers-pushing-for-stronger-ai-laws-artificial-intelligence-internet-technology-nude-explicit-images-pop-star-president-2024-election-politics

 

Special E-Paper: HONORING THE CHAIR OF THE BOSTON GLOBAL FORUM AND AI WORLD SOCIETY

Special E-Paper: HONORING THE CHAIR OF THE BOSTON GLOBAL FORUM AND AI WORLD SOCIETY

BGF introduces the special e-paper “Honoring the Chair of the Boston Global Forum and AI World Society.” This discusses and recaps the event of the celebration of Governor Dukakis’ 90th birthday at Loeb House, Harvard University on November 2, 2023. It features remarks from Governor Dukakis, Amma, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, and many, many distinguished guests of the event.

Honoring the Chair of the Boston Global Forum and AI World Society

How Data Collaboration Platforms Can Help Companies Build Better AI

How Data Collaboration Platforms Can Help Companies Build Better AI

José Parra-Moyano, Karl Schmedders, Alex “Sandy” Pentland

 

MIT Professor Alex Pentland, a BGF Board Member, wrote “How Data Collaboration Platforms Can Help Companies Build Better AI” on Harvard Business Review:

There are three immediate challenges for companies that want to train fine-tuned AI models: 1) they require extensive, high-quality data — a scarce resource for many enterprises, 2) third-party AI models can include problematic biases, and 3) training fine-tuned models with users’ personal data may result in privacy violations. However, data collaboration platforms can help address these challenges. They can provide a privacy-preserving training space on high-quality, abundant data, ensuring compliance with privacy laws and unleashing the full potential of fine-tuned models.

 

Read the full article here:

https://hbr.org/2024/01/how-data-collaboration-platforms-can-help-companies-build-better-ai?ab=HP-hero-latest-text-2

D3Damon/Getty Images