On September 4th, 2023 (Monday), Kyushu University held the Integrated Initiative for Designing Future Society & Data-Driven Innovation Initiative JOINT SYMPOSIUM 2023 at the Ito Campus Shiiki Hall and online. Approximately 270 participants, including representatives from companies, local governments, and universities from both inside and outside the campus, attended the event.
First, the symposium began with opening remarks by the heads of both initiatives, President Tatsuro Ishibashi, and a guest greeting from Mr. Eiichiro Adachi, Executive Director of the Future Society Value Research Institute at Japan General Research Institute Co., Ltd. Following this, Professor Satoshi Kurihara from Keio University delivered an invited lecture titled “Is Coexistence of Humans and AI Inevitable? – The Impact of Generative AI on People and Society.”
Subsequently, in addition to Professor Kurihara and Mr. Adashi, speakers included Professor Megumi Takata from the Integrated Initiative for Designing Future Society’ Decarbonization Unit, Lecturer Takanori Yamashita from the Medicine and Health Unit, Professor Takashi Okayasu from the Environment and Food Unit, and Professor Atsushi Shimada from the Data-Driven Innovation Initiative’ Learning Analytics Department. The discussion was moderated by Professor Ryu Kojima from the Integrated Initiative for Designing Future Society’ Think Tank Unit, and it revolved around the theme of “AI and the Future Society,” with each speaker providing insights from their respective fields of expertise.
In the afternoon, participants split into two venues for presentations on the activities of various units and departments from both initiatives, as well as a presentation on the flagship project by the Integrated Initiative for Designing Future Society’ Decarbonization Unit. Furthermore, faculty and students from our university presented their initiatives and ideas for solving social challenges in a poster session, which generated lively discussions between presenters and attendees.
Additionally, the winners of Ideas and Proposals Contest for Solving Social Issues 2023, which had been submitted in advance, were announced and honored in an award ceremony.
Lastly, Makoto Aratono, Deputy Director of the Integrated Initiative for Designing Future Society, who also serves as Vice President/Provost, delivered the closing remarks, bringing the symposium to a successful conclusion.
Participants in the poster session expressed their appreciation for the valuable opportunity to exchange information with researchers from different fields, which is often a rare occurrence. This joint symposium served as a catalyst for interdisciplinary interactions among researchers and students who participated, contributing to social change through comprehensive knowledge.
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the participants for joining us in this symposium. Thank you very much.
