Countries & Regions
Prime Minister Kishida’s Participation in the AI Seoul Summit Leaders’ Session (Video Message)
On May 21, from 8:30 p.m. to 10:12 p.m. (Japan time), Leaders’ Session of the AI Seoul Summit, co-hosted by the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the United Kingdom, was held in online format, and Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, participated in the Session by delivering a video message.
- Prime Minister Kishida stated that in order to maximize the innovative opportunities brought by AI, there is an urgent need to establish international governance to mitigate its risks and to achieve safe, secure, and trustworthy AI. In addition, he described that, last year, under Japan’s Presidency, the G7 launched the Hiroshima AI Process, which led to the development of the International Guiding Principles as well as the Code of Conduct, contributing to the reduction in the specific risks posed by AI. Prime Minister Kishida also shared that he kicked off the Hiroshima AI Process Friends Group at the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting earlier this month, and expressed the intention to advance initiatives towards achieving safe, secure, and trustworthy AI.
- Prime Minister Kishida stated that the initiatives under the AI Seoul Summit and the Hiroshima AI Process are complementary to one another, and that deepening international discussions on AI safety is essential to promote the implementation of the International Code of Conduct by organizations developing AI systems.
- Furthermore, with regard to domestic initiatives, Prime Minister Kishida explained that the Government of Japan released the AI Guidelines for Business this April, reflecting the results of the Hiroshima AI Process, and that Japan will encourage efforts to ensure that a wide range of businesses can utilize AI while addressing the associated risks. On AI safety evaluation, Prime Minister Kishida explained that Japan established the AI Safety Institute this February and would work closely with international partners towards establishing interoperable safety evaluation methodologies.
- Prime Minister Kishida concluded his message by expressing Japan’s support for the objectives of the AI Seoul Summit and committing to further contributing to the international discussions on AI.
On May 21, from 8:30 p.m. to 10:12 p.m. (Japan time), Leaders’ Session of the AI Seoul Summit, “Building on the AI Safety Summit: towards and Innovative and Inclusive Future,” was held in online format, co-chaired by President Yoon Suk Yeol of the ROK and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the United Kingdom. It was attended by Canada, EU, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the ROK, Singapore, the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Nations, OECD, and representatives of organizations developing AI. Australia participates only in the outcome document.
The Leaders’ Session deepened the discussion on AI safety as a follow-up to the AI Safety Summit (Bletchley Summit) hosted by the UK last November, while also discussing the promotion of innovation within AI development and the equitable sharing of AI’s benefits, focusing on the three themes of safety, innovation, and inclusivity. As outcome documents, “Seoul Declaration for Safe, Innovative and Inclusive AI” and Annex (“Seoul Statement of Intent toward International Cooperation on AI Safety Science”) were issued.
On May 22, an in-person Ministers’ Session will be held in Seoul, with approximately 30 invited countries. Mr. NISHIDA Shoji, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications, is scheduled to attend the Ministers’ Session from Japan.
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