April 30, 2024
On April 18, the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, visited Keio University's Mita Campus and met with eleven students from the Graduate School of Science and Technology who are conducting research related to artificial intelligence (AI). Earlier this year, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted a resolution on March 21 about steering the use of AI technology. This effort was spearheaded by the United States and will have implications on the development and implementation of AI in over 120 countries and regions, including Japan, which were involved in the consensus. With this increasing focus around the globe on AI technology, Keio University announced on April 9 that it had formed a partnership with Carnegie Mellon University and other private corporations to coordinate research efforts connected to AI.
The interactive session held between Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield and the students was brought about after the ambassador expressed her desire to hear first-hand from students about their AI research.
The event started with three of the students giving a demonstration of their work to Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield; Kohei Itoh, the president of Keio University; and Kiyoto Tsuji, Japan’sState Minister for Foreign Affairs. Among the technologies shown during the session was the "Solar Flare Prediction System," an AI program that can predict explosive phenomena on the surface of the sun before they occur. This system is the first in the world to exceed predictions made by experts in the field. Large-scale solar flares can have adverse effects on communication systems, satellite positioning, in addition to issues related to radiation exposure. Damage caused by a large-scale solar flare is estimated to be approximately $163 billion, making accurate prediction systems essential for minimizing potential harm.
In response to the demonstrations, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield encouraged the students and shared how she hopes that AI and similar technological advancements, such as those in remote communication, that used to be confined to science fiction can, as they are incorporated into the real world, be used to contribute towards creating a safer and more equitable society for everyone in the future.
After the demonstrations were finished, President Kohei Itoh moderated for a Q&A session. The students posed a variety of questions to the ambassador, including asking what language she would choose if she had to learn one using AI, at which point Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield broke into a large smile and answered that she would learn Amharic, an Ethiopian language that her granddaughter speaks. This general warmth and genial atmosphere characterized the entire event from start to finish.
Photos: Aki Takematsu