Prime Minister Kishida of Japan recently attended the 20th Annual Meeting of the Science and Technology in Society (STS) forum in Kyoto. In his address at the opening ceremony, he highlighted the importance of generative AI and Japan’s leadership in science and technology.
The Prime Minister expressed his delight in joining Chairman Komiyama and other attendees at this milestone event, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the STS forum. He emphasized the significant advances that science and technology have brought to society and expressed his hopes for the popularization of science and technology to benefit everyone in the coming decades.
Prime Minister Kishida acknowledged the potential of generative AI to revolutionize various fields such as industry, healthcare, and education. To gain practical experience, he engaged in dialogues with developers and young researchers working with generative AI and even participated in a training course. This hands-on experience reinforced his appreciation for the potential of generative AI to further popularize science and technology, making lives more convenient. However, he also recognized the need to address concerns surrounding issues like disinformation, privacy, and copyright protection.
To ensure trustworthy AI, Prime Minister Kishida highlighted the vision of trustworthy AI agreed upon at the G7 Hiroshima Summit, proposing the launch of the Hiroshima AI Process. Japan is leading the way in international rule-making on governance and transparency related to AI. At the STS forum, the Prime Minister expressed his desire to hear the views of experts from various nations regarding generative AI.
Prime Minister Kishida stressed that science and technology have both positive and negative aspects, and it is crucial to continue driving innovation while addressing negative impacts and ethical issues. He emphasized the importance of international cooperation, human resource development, and science diplomacy in tackling global challenges such as climate change and energy problems.
Referring to the G7 Hiroshima Summit, the Prime Minister emphasized the support for the development of advanced technologies, research infrastructures, and highly-skilled human resource networks. He called for the promotion of international talent mobility and circulation, particularly the reinvigoration of the global brain circulation stalled by the COVID-19 crisis.
The STS forum was commended as an invaluable platform that brings together opinion leaders from around the world to engage in discussions and networking. Prime Minister Kishida encouraged scientists, corporate executives, and policymakers to participate in the forum and expand collaboration in science and technology globally.
The Prime Minister emphasized the significance of peaceful uses of science and technology, as well as relevant international collaborations. He drew attention to the historical events that took place at the Kyoto International Conference Center, highlighting the pursuit of peace and the resolution of global issues. Reflecting on the past 20 years, he emphasized the role of science and technology in realizing the ideal future.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Kishida posed thought-provoking questions to the attendees, asking what kind of future they wished to create and how science and technology should be developed and used to achieve that future. The forum was anticipated to host lively discussions to address these questions.
