The 21st Global Annual Meeting of the Science and Technology in Society forum took place from October 6 to 8, 2024 in Kyoto, Japan. The STS forum is a top global summit with a cross-border and cross-industry characteristics. The forum brought together about 1,400 global opinion leaders from over 80 countries, regions, and international organizations, including 11 Nobel laureates, distinguished scientists, science and technology ministers, corporate executives, and research institutions leaders. Heroad Investments was invited to attend the forum and spoke at the CEO session.
Photo | Shigeru Ishiba, Japanese Prime Minister delivering the opening speech
Photo | Hiroshi Komiyama, Chairman of the STS forum, delivering the keynote speech
The world today is in turbulent times where wars and conflicts are raging all over the planet. Science and technology hold tremendous potential to address issues such as hunger, disease, environmental protection, and enhancing the dignity of work, helping humanity get back to a sustainable development path. However, they also pose many challenges to society, raising significant ethical, security, and environmental concerns. The potential negative applications of science and technology are threatening the future of humanity as well.
The topics covered in the forum include artificial intelligence (AI), the digital age, basic science, global health, biotechnology, food, water, and energy, as well as climate change and global cooperation. The focus is on exploring AI ethics and regulation, how quantum computing science can accelerate AI computing power, the latest development in nuclear fusion and deep geothermal energy, and how to accelerate scientific breakthroughs and apply them to reduce energy consumption, and other global key issues.
Photo (left) | Akira Yoshino, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry
Photo (right) | Klaus von Klitzing, Nobel Laureate in Physics
Additionally, Heroad Investments was the only Chinese company to participate in the STS CEO closed-door meeting. The meeting invited nearly 40 CEOs from 18 countries with innovative and technology-leading companies, which was co-chaired by Dr. Masayuki Adachi, President and Chief Operating Officer of Japan's HORIBA, and Ms. Helle Kristoffersen, a member of the Executive Committee and President of Asia at TotalEnergies. Attendees from various sectors had an in-depth exchange on how technology, capital, and enterprises could mutually promote and develop each other.
Photo | Group photo of all CEO meeting attendees
[About STS forum]
The STS forum was established in 2004 as a non-profit organization led by founder and chairman Koji Omi, with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe serving as the honorary chairman. The STS forum aims to provide a platform for world leaders from policy-making, academia, and industry to exchange ideas and jointly discuss on the challenges and directions of science and technology, with a focus on humanity's long-term future,100 to 500 years ahead.