by Admin | Jul 4, 2026 | News
Fifty stars for fifty states. Fifty Pioneers for a new age of humanity.
Today, as the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we honor one of history’s greatest affirmations of human freedom, dignity, and self-government.
For two and a half centuries, America’s highest ideals have inspired generations far beyond its borders. The pursuit of liberty, constitutional democracy, the rule of law, innovation, and individual responsibility has helped shape not only the American story, but also the modern world.
Earlier this year, Governor Michael S. Dukakis and I co-authored America at 250: A Beacon for the AI Age. The book reflects on America’s historic contributions to humanity and affirms that its enduring ideals can continue to illuminate the path forward in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.
At the Boston Global Forum Conference America at 250: A Beacon for the AI Age, held at Harvard University on May 1, 2026, we honored the America 250: AI Pioneers — fifty distinguished scientists, innovators, public thinkers, and leaders whose work has laid the foundations of the AI Age. As America reflects on the fifty stars of its flag, we honor these fifty pioneers whose ideas and discoveries have helped illuminate humanity’s journey into the Age of Artificial Intelligence.
Presentation of the America 250 · AI Pioneers Award to Cynthia Dwork — Loeb House, Harvard University, May 1, 2026.
We also presented the 2026 World Leader for Peace and Security Award to the Leaders of the United States and the American People, recognizing America’s enduring contribution to peace, freedom, democracy, innovation, and human progress.
The World Leader for Peace and Security Award presented to Vint Cerf — symbolic representative, on behalf of the American People.
In honoring America, we also honor the universal values it has shared with the world.
At its best, America has never been a beacon for itself alone. It has been a beacon for the world.
As America begins its next 250 years, we hope it will continue to draw strength from its founding ideals and its remarkable capacity for renewal. The strength of America has never come from the absence of differences, but from its enduring ability to unite around freedom, democracy, constitutional government, and the common good. A confident, democratic, and forward-looking America will continue to inspire humanity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.
Today, inspired by these enduring ideals, the Boston Global Forum and AIWS issue The Boston Declaration: On the Primacy of the Human Person in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.
The Declaration affirms a principle that we believe must guide the future of civilization:
“Artificial Intelligence may surpass human intelligence in many domains. It must never surpass the primacy of the human person.”
It further affirms:
“The destiny of Artificial Intelligence is fulfilled only when it advances human wisdom, human dignity, and human flourishing.”
The Boston Declaration is not simply a statement of principles.
It is the beginning of a new journey.
This journey must be supported not only by governance and technology, but also by culture, wisdom, compassion, creativity, and the noble qualities that elevate the human spirit. That is why AIWS Lumina, introduced earlier this year as the cultural architecture of AIWS, is an essential companion to The Boston Declaration. If Trust Infrastructure helps make AI accountable, AIWS Lumina helps ensure that the AI Age remains humane, beautiful, reflective, and guided by Love, Creativity, Nobility, and Wisdom.
Inspired by this Declaration, the Boston Global Forum and AIWS are launching a global initiative to develop the Constitution for Humanity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, to be presented to humanity in 2027, marking the tenth anniversary of AIWS.
This effort will bring together AI pioneers, scientists, philosophers, educators, public leaders, religious leaders, young people, and citizens from around the world.
Early next year, we also hope to convene the Vatican Dialogue on Humanity and Artificial Intelligence, creating a unique opportunity for the world’s leading scientific and moral voices to reflect together on one defining question:
What does it mean to remain fully human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence?
Our purpose is not merely to govern Artificial Intelligence.
Our purpose is to help shape a civilization in which intelligence serves wisdom, technology serves humanity, trust strengthens freedom, and innovation advances peace and human flourishing.
If the Declaration of Independence helped define the Age of Freedom, may The Boston Declaration help inspire an age that affirms the primacy of the human person — where wisdom governs intelligence, and human dignity remains the guiding light of civilization.
Nguyen Anh Tuan
Co-Founder, Co-Chair and CEO, Boston Global Forum
July 4, 2026
Download PDF here:
https://bostonglobalforum.org/wp-content/uploads/Beacon_Papers_No1_The_Boston_Declaration.pdf
https://bostonglobalforum.org/wp-content/uploads/Beacon_Papers_No2_From_Philadelphia_to_Boston.pdf
by Admin | May 30, 2022 | Executive Board, Global Enlightenment Leaders, Peoples, Board of Directors
Yasuhide Nakayama was first elected as a member of the House of Representatives in 2003, and since then has been reelected to the Diet on five occasions as a representative for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
During that time he served as State Minister for Foreign Affairs (under Prime Minister Abe) and most recently as the State Minister of Defense/State Minister of Cabinet Office (under Prime Minister Suga). He has also occupied various key Diet posts, including Chair of the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs.
In November 2021, Nakayama was appointed Special Advisor for Foreign Affairs to the LDP (to the Chairperson of the Policy Research Council for Foreign Affairs, Defense and Game-Changing Fields).
by Admin | May 29, 2025 | News
On April 22, 2025, at Harvard University’s historic Loeb House, the Boston Global Forum presented the World Leader in AI World Society (AIWS) Award to Taiwan’s Cyber Ambassador, Audrey Tang.
Governor Michael Dukakis, in his remarks, praised Audrey as “an extraordinary individual whose vision, courage, and brilliance have reshaped the landscape of governance and freedom in the AI Age.” From child prodigy to cabinet minister, from civic tech pioneer to international thought leader, Audrey has redefined what it means to lead in the age of artificial intelligence.
Audrey’s acceptance speech was a moving call to action for a future built on transparency, prosocial participation, and “plurality over polarization.” Reflecting on Taiwan’s digital democracy successes—from the g0v movement and vTaiwan platform to real-time citizen engagement—Audrey reminded us that technology must amplify collective wisdom, not divide it. As she put it: “Sunlight is an immunization against manipulation.”
She closed with a poem—a vision of the future where machines enhance, rather than replace, human values:
“When we see ‘internet of things,’ let’s make it an internet of beings… When we hear ‘the singularity is near,’ let us remember: the Plurality is here.”
Audrey’s work is not just technical leadership—it is moral leadership. As the global community navigates the challenges of AI governance, Audrey’s example lights the way forward.
Remarks by Governor Michael Dukakis Honoring Audrey Tang
Boston Global Forum Conference
Boston Finance Accord for AI Governance 24/7
Harvard University Loeb House, 17 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA
April 22, 2025
Ladies and gentlemen, it is my profound privilege to honor an extraordinary individual whose vision, courage, and brilliance have reshaped the landscape of governance and freedom in the AI Age—Audrey Tang, Taiwan’s Cyber Ambassador, the world’s first nonbinary cabinet official, and the Boston Global Forum’s 2025 World Leader in AIWS Award recipient.
Audrey, your journey is nothing short of inspiring. A child prodigy mastering mathematics at six and programming by eight, you were a Silicon Valley innovator by nineteen. Yet, it is your fusion of technical genius with a deep commitment to pluralism and democracy—nurtured in a pro-democracy family—that truly sets you apart. You saw the internet not just as code, but as a bridge to unite people through shared dreams, a vision you’ve carried from Taiwan to the world.
Your impact is transformative. Through Taiwan’s g0v civic tech community, you pioneered platforms like Join.gov.tw, empowering citizens to shape policies—from tax software to cancer treatment reforms—with unprecedented transparency. During the 2014 Sunflower Movement, your livestreaming of a controversial trade pact turned deliberation into a public act of courage, cementing Taiwan as Asia’s beacon of freedom. In the face of COVID-19, your ingenuity—think mask maps and fact-checking tools—showed the world how technology can serve humanity with clarity and compassion.
As a “conservative anarchist,” you’ve redefined governance, blending radical openness with practical wisdom. Your leadership in Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs and now as Cyber Ambassador has made collective decision-making a reality, inspiring the AI World Society’s vision of Government 24/7. Just last month, at the 4th Shinzo Abe Conference in Tokyo, your insights enriched our Boston Finance Accord—a testament to your global influence, recognized by TIME Magazine’s 2023 Top 100 AI Influential People and today’s AIWS Award.
Audrey, you’ve said you aim to be a “good enough ancestor for future generations.” To us, you are already a guiding light, honoring Shinzo Abe’s legacy of innovation and cooperation while forging a path toward global enlightenment. On behalf of the Boston Global Forum, I salute you for your unwavering dedication to transparency, inclusion, and a better tomorrow. Thank you, Audrey Tang, for inspiring us all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahczjdSgNjI
Acceptance Speech by Audrey Tang
Cyber Ambassador of Taiwan
Recipient of the World Leader in AI World Society Award
Harvard University, Loeb House – 17 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA
April 22, 2025 | 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM EDT
Governor Dukakis, Co-Chairs Mr. Tuan and Professor Patterson, distinguished guests—good morning.
Standing in Harvard’s Loeb House to receive the World Leader in AIWS Award, I feel honored — and compelled. Climate shocks, border crises, cyber-conflict: today’s threats travel at machine speed, yet their solutions still rely on the tempo of human trust. Our task is to keep that trust synchronized—twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
People often ask what a “Cyber Ambassador” does. I answer: I help societies steer through transformative technologies. The word cyber comes from the Greek kybernetes, “to steer,” and it was Norbert Wiener who gave “cybernetics” its modern meaning here in Boston.
Today’s Boston Finance Accord for AI Governance 24/7 shows how purposeful steering can turn artificial intelligence into assistive intelligence, technology that amplifies our collective wisdom and compassion.
Why does this matter? Consider five sets of figures from Taiwan’s past decade of digital democracy:
- First, over 20 000 participants in the g0v civic-tech network have “forked” government websites into open-source versions that citizens actually prefer.
- Second, 500 000 citizens joined the 2014 Sunflower rallies, livestreamed by those same volunteers, pushing the government to adopt radical transparency as our national ethos.
- Third, The gov.tw platform—visited by 10 000 people every day—has given everyone in Taiwan a direct voice in policy, and 80 % of issues deliberated on vTaiwan have led to decisive action.
- Fourth, During COVID-19, an open-data “mask map” went live in 48 hours; Taiwan avoided lockdowns entirely, yet our economy grew by more than 12 % during the three years of pandemic.
- Last but not the least, today 91 % of Taiwanese say democracy is “fairly good”, our 15 years olds top the world in terms of civic knowledge, and and we rank among the least socially polarized societies globally.
And because no democracy is an island—not even Taiwan—those civic muscles must expand across oceans, cultures, and time zones. When one society’s guardrails wobble, tremors ripple everywhere.
I accept this award on behalf of communities that made those numbers possible. Their lesson is simple: sunlight is an immunization against manipulation. That’s the lesson of every number I just shared.
