Archive

The social implementation of cutting-edge technologies—AI, blockchain, biotechnology, 5G—was discussed alongside regulatory design. Government officials, regulators, startups, and researchers gathered to address personal data governance, fair media ecosystems, and industrial transformation. With speakers from MIT, Monex Securities, and the Cabinet IT Office, the event emphasized co-evolution between regulation and innovation.

This conference explored two main themes: enhancing human capabilities through technology and implementing environmentally sustainable solutions. The first day focused on AI, wearables, robotics, and MR, alongside ethical considerations. On the second day, sessions highlighted the social potential of food tech, including cell-cultured foods, insect protein, and AI-driven agriculture—paired with tasting experiences that brought technology and sensory engagement together.

The event took a dual focus on biotechnology and blockchain, examining the technical and ethical challenges of real-world implementation. In the biotech track, cutting-edge U.S. startups showcased innovations such as AI-integrated bioengineering and DIY genetic editing—reflecting the latest trends in "street bio." The blockchain sessions covered topics from decentralized networks and economic ecosystems to regulatory frameworks, presented from intersecting industrial, academic, and governmental viewpoints.

Spanning two themes, this event first explored the societal implications of blockchain technology, with startups and engineers sharing real-world use cases and infrastructure trends. The second day focused on microbial technologies rooted in Japan’s fermentation culture (e.g., sake and natto), extending to applications in biomaterials and environmental tech. The sessions encouraged dialogue on how science, everyday life, and technology intersect to shape the future.

Centered on the disruptive potential of blockchain and AI, this event explored their cross-industry and societal impact. Blockchain sessions showcased secure transaction models and fintech applications, while the AI track featured advancements in big data analytics and natural language processing. Talks by global experts highlighted practical frameworks for integrating these technologies across policy, business, and social systems.

This two-part event examined transformative technologies through the lenses of digital finance and human enhancement. In the digital currency track, startup founders and investors discussed Bitcoin and blockchain innovations and commercialization. The human enhancement sessions featured experts in synthetic biology and biomechatronics exploring technologies that augment human capabilities, with a particular focus on the ethical intersections of science and society.

The future of digital currency and virtual reality was discussed from financial, entertainment, and societal angles. Developers, platform operators, and policy experts spoke on blockchain and Bitcoin implementations. In the VR track, researchers from MIT Media Lab and artists presented use cases spanning UX design, media art, education, and urban planning—offering a vision of the world 5 to 10 years into the future.

Held to mark the launch of a startup incubator, this event focused on the future of education and the content industry. The programming education segment compared the state of ICT instruction in Japan and the U.S., exploring challenges and outlooks for K–12 adoption. The latter half presented strategies—such as collaboration with Wikia—for distributing Japanese content like manga and anime globally, examining new possibilities for community-driven content ecosystems.

To commemorate the launch of DG717, a startup support center in San Francisco, the event welcomed entrepreneurs, researchers, and government officials. Talks by Twitter (now X) co-founder Biz Stone and UI researcher John Underkoffler focused on environments that foster innovation. The opening ceremony, attended by the San Francisco mayor, and a pitch event with Japanese and U.S. startups emphasized the development of a global startup ecosystem.

With smartphones as the backdrop, this event examined the potential of internet business through the lens of open innovation. Case studies in cloud, IoT, and e-commerce were introduced, highlighting how open technologies and global collaboration generate new value. Entrepreneurs, researchers, and enterprise leaders gathered to envision the future shape of internet infrastructure as technology and business models evolve.