Over the past nine years, the AI Utilization in Society and Legal Systems Team at the RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project has conducted research in key areas such as AI ethics, the intersection of AI and legal systems, trust in AI, AI agents, and the protection and utilization of personal information.
At this symposium, Professor David Leslie of Queen Mary University, a collaborator with the team, along with visiting researchers Associate Professor Ema Arisa of the University of Tokyo and Professor Terada Mayu of Hitotsubashi University, will deliver lectures on the current state and future directions of these fields. Team Leader Nakagawa will also present an overview of the team’s research activities over the past nine years.
The event will conclude with a panel discussion featuring Professor Oya Takehiro of Keio University.
Date and Time: Wednesday, February 19, 2025, 13:00–17:30
Venue: Nihonbashi AIP Center Open Space(Up to 30 participants) & Zoom (Hybrid Event) *On-site registration closed
Access to RIKEN AIP: https://aip.riken.jp/access/
Participants attending the Nihonbashi venue will receive an entry pass by the day before the event.
Program
13:00-13:10: Opening
13:10-13:50: Invited Talk 1
David Leslie : Queen Mary University
Title: Tackling the Challenges of Ecosystem-Level AI Governance: A New AI Policy Frontier
Abstract:
Since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, the industrial revolution of AI has triggered a new scale of systemic challenges and risks that span the social, political, economic, cultural, and natural ecosystems in which these systems are embedded. These challenges range from hazards of expanding inequality and widening of digital divides, increased concentration of techno-scientific power and market consolidation by a handful of large tech firms, labour displacement, and workforce deskilling to large-scale disinformation, mass pollution of the information ecosystem, cultural erasure, and environmental harms. This talk explores how the emerging frontier of ecosystem-level AI governance can begin to tackle this problem set, addressing the urgent need for comprehensive approaches that can keep pace with rapid technological transformation. I examine how the focus of AI governance is shifting from primarily regulating the internal sociotechnical processes behind the design, development, and deployment lifecycle of AI technologies to addressing broader system-level concerns. These include control over critical resources like data, compute power, and digital infrastructure; the inclusive and equitable cultivation and retention of AI talent and capabilities; the development of rapid-response but adaptive legal and regulatory mechanisms; the shaping of AI markets and economic measures to ensure ethical and responsible innovation; and the strategic allocation of research funding to drive sustainable and public interest oriented AI ingenuity. The discussion highlights how this ecosystem-targeting approach is crucial for addressing power imbalances, promoting equitable access to AI resources, and ensuring responsible and environmentally conscious innovation across the entire AI landscape.
Drawing on AI ethics and governance research that began with the 2019-2022 research collaboration between RIKEN AIP and the Alan Turing Institute, PATH-AI, this talk will propose strategies for fostering a more inclusive and sustainable AI ecosystem, including multi-stakeholder collaboration, community-led policy formation, and the development of mission-led industrial policies that are capable of navigating the complex landscape of ecosystem-level AI governance and steering the development of AI technologies towards the public good.
13:50-14:30: Invited Talk 2
Arisa Ema : University of Tokyo
Title: Diversity and Harmony: Towards Building a Sustainable AI Society
Abstract:
The development, deployment, and utilization of AI that accommodates multiple languages and cultures require an approach that respects the characteristics of each country and region while emphasizing international harmony. To achieve this, discussions involving multiple stakeholders are crucial; however, as more diverse individuals participate, it is essential to carefully design the processes and methodologies for agenda setting, discussion formats, and content
organization. Considering the purposes and contexts of AI usage, advancing discussions in a prompt yet thoughtful manner will be key to building a sustainable future for AI society.
14:30-14:40: Break
14:40-15:20: Invited Talk 3
Mayu Terada : Hitotsubashi University
Title：AI Governance, Legal Challenges, and Digital Policy in Japan in the Era of Generative AI
Abstract:
This presentation introduces and analyzes the intersection of artificial intelligence governance and digital policy in Japan, with particular attention to the challenges posed by generative AI technologies. As Japan advances its digital transformation agenda, AI—especially generative AI—has emerged as a critical focus for innovation and regulation. The presentation examines how Japan’s broader digitalization policies, including the initiatives of the Digital Agency and data governance frameworks, align with efforts to address the legal and ethical challenges associated with AI. The discussion will highlight recent legislative developments, such as revisions to the Act on the Protection of Personal Information, the incorporation of AI-related guidelines into Japan's digital strategy, and the governance of cross-border data flows. By situating these efforts within the context of global regulatory trends, the presentation emphasizes the importance of establishing coherent and adaptive regulatory frameworks that balance technological advancement with societal values. Ultimately, it aims to illustrate how Japan’s approach to harmonizing digital policy and AI governance can provide insights for addressing the multifaceted impacts of emerging technologies.
15:20-16:00: Talk from RIKEN AIP
Hiroshi Nakagawa : RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project
Title: AI Utilization in Society and Legal Systems
Abstract:
The landscape surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) has undergone significant transformation in recent years. Between 2017 and 2019, global discussions on AI ethics—particularly concerning privacy protection, non-discrimination, and accountability—gained considerable momentum, leading to the proposal of numerous ethical guidelines. Since 2020, these guidelines have increasingly informed the development of regulatory frameworks for AI governance. A prominent example of such regulation is the EU's AI Act, which was formally enacted in March 2024.
This lecture will first provide an overview of the contributions made by the RIKEN AIP "AI Utilization in Society and Legal Systems" Team to the discourse on AI ethics and legal frameworks. Subsequently, the discussion will shift toward the next anticipated advancement in AI technology: the development and deployment of AI agents. The second part of the lecture will examine the legal implications of AI agents, with a particular focus on the ongoing debate surrounding the granting of legal personality to AI systems—a discourse that originated in the 1990s. Finally, the lecture will explore the future prospects and challenges associated with conferring legal personality on AI agents, offering insights into their potential legal status in the evolving technological landscape.
16:00-16:10: Break
16:10-17:20: Panel Discussion
Panelist: David Leslie, Arisa Ema, Mayu Terada, Takehiro Ohya
Moderator: Hiroshi Nakagawa
17:20-17:30: Closing
Public events of RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project (AIP)
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