2025/04/18
Report on the HIAS Brown Bag Seminar Presentation
On April 8, 2025, Assistant Professor David Uriel Socol de la Osa presented at the 16th HIAS Brown Bag Seminar, hosted by the Hitotsubashi Institute of Advanced Study (HIAS). The seminar, titled “The Geopolitics of AI Governance: Shifts in the Global Paradigm, and the Role of Japan in the Future of AI,” brought together researchers, faculty, and students to discuss the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence governance, with a particular focus on Japan’s role in shaping global AI policy.
In his presentation, Professor Socol de la Osa examined how global shifts in AI regulation have moved from a focus on balancing economic growth, technological advancement, and fundamental rights to prioritizing national security and economic competitiveness. He argued that, in this fragmented environment, Japan’s approach to AI governance stands out as a potentially stabilizing model. Japan’s strategy of balancing innovation with ethical considerations, its sector-specific regulatory frameworks, and its commitment to multilateral cooperation were highlighted as key factors in its resilient position amidst the global geopolitical shifts in AI.
The presentation sparked engaging discussions on how international AI governance is being reshaped by competing national interests and strategic alignments. Participants appreciated the thought-provoking analysis of Japan’s pragmatic approach, which navigates between economic interests and human-centric values, while fostering cooperation on the international stage.
This seminar is part of HIAS’s ongoing efforts to promote collaboration across disciplines, providing an opportunity for the Hitotsubashi academic community to engage in timely and relevant debates. The event underscored the importance of understanding AI governance not just through a technological lens but as an essential component of global diplomacy and national strategy.
 Assistant Prof. David Uriel Socol de la Osa |  |  |  |