Prime Minister Kishida’s Participation in the AI Seoul Summit Leaders’ Session (Video Message) (Summary)

[Provisional translation]

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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.