Announcing the 1st Kyoto Conference 2025 : Toward the Realization of a “Multilayered Society of Values”

KYOTO, Oct. 22, 2024 / Kyoto Institute of Philosophy

The Kyoto Institute of Philosophy (Co-chairpersons: Yasuo Deguchi and Jun Sawada) is pleased to announce the inaugural Kyoto Conference, to be held in September 2025.

The Kyoto Conference will convene some of the world's leading philosophers, scientists, business leaders, engineers, artists, and religious figures to engage collaboratively in meaningful dialogues concerning the fundamental nature of “values and underlying principles” in an era defined by artificial intelligence (AI). As humanity faces the challenges of rapid technological evolution, the conference seeks to offer an opportunity to reassess these core values while encouraging a cross-disciplinary exchange that transcends conventional boundaries.

By sharing these discussions with a global audience, the conference aims to serve as the starting point for an impactful international initiative that envisions a “Multilayered Society of Values,” where diverse values coexist in harmony, leading us toward a more thoughtful and enlightened future.

Details

Title:

The 1st Kyoto Conference

Purpose of the Conference:

As the era of AI advances, the world is engaged in numerous discussions about its implications. Yet few conversations dive deeply into the core “values and underlying principles” that underpin different cultures and societies. Addressing these fundamental values is increasingly crucial when considering the future of society, the economy, and scientific development.

The Kyoto Conference was conceived as an international platform to foster such discussions, grounded in the academic field of philosophy. It aims to bring diverse perspectives to the forefront and explore the values that should guide our collective future. At the conference, participants will engage in dialogues highlighting the multilayered diversity of values across countries, regions, industries, and academic disciplines.

By fostering an understanding of these varied and multilayered perspectives, we will collaboratively explore and propose a shared vision for the future, particularly in the face of challenges such as the rise of AI and changing international dynamics.

Dates:

September 23 (Tuesday) – 24 (Wednesday), 2025

Venues:

Kyoto International Conference Center (422 Iwakura Oosagicho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto)

Exterior of the Kyoto International Conference CenterExterior of the Kyoto International Conference Center

Participants:
For a detailed list of participants,please refer to the bottom of this page.
Note: Details regarding keynote speeches and panel discussions will be announced at a later date.

How to participate:

Participation in this event is by invitation only.

Overview of the Kyoto Institute of Philosophy:

The Kyoto Institute of Philosophy was established in July 2023 as a collaboration between Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) and Professor Yasuo Deguchi, Dean of the Graduate School of Letters and Professor of Philosophy at Kyoto University. The Institute's founding mission is to lead a global movement aimed at creating a “Multilayered Society of Values,” where diverse perspectives are respected and coexist.

The Institute benefits from the leadership of key figures, including the Chairpersons and Presidents of Hakuhodo, Hitachi, and the Yomiuri Shimbun Group Headquarters, who serve as directors. Additionally, renowned philosopher Professor Markus Gabriel of the University of Bonn serves as Senior Global Advisor, contributing his expertise to guide the Institute's global efforts.

With the backing of domestic and international companies as supporting members, the Kyoto Institute of Philosophy is working to foster dialogue and collaboration across various sectors and regions.

Contact Information:

For further inquiries, please contact the Kyoto Institute for Philosophy Secretariat at:contact@k-philo.org

 

Confirmed Participants

  • Yasuo Deguchi Dean and Professor of Philosophy at Graduate School of Letters, Kyoto University Yasuo Deguchi
    Dean and Professor of Philosophy at Graduate School of Letters, Kyoto University
  • Jun Sawada Executive Chairman, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation Jun Sawada
    Executive Chairman, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
  • Markus Gabriel Professor and Chair in Epistemology, Modern, and Contemporary Philosophy, University of Bonn Markus Gabriel
    Professor and Chair in Epistemology, Modern, and Contemporary Philosophy, University of Bonn
  • Toshiaki Higashihara Executive Chairman, Hitachi, Ltd. Toshiaki Higashihara
    Executive Chairman, Hitachi, Ltd.
  • Hirokazu Toda Director & Chairman, Hakuhodo Inc. Hirokazu Toda
    Director & Chairman, Hakuhodo Inc.
  • Toshikazu Yamaguchi Representative Director President, The Yomiuri Shimbun Holdings Toshikazu Yamaguchi
    Representative Director President, The Yomiuri Shimbun Holdings
  • Aimee van Wynsberghe Alexander von Humboldt Professor for Applied Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, Bonn University Aimee van Wynsberghe
    Alexander von Humboldt Professor for Applied Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, Bonn University
  • Diane Coyle Bennett Professor of Public Policy, University of Cambridge Diane Coyle
    Bennett Professor of Public Policy, University of Cambridge
  • Laurie Ann Paul Millstone Family Professor of Philosophy and Professor of Cognitive Science, University of Yale Laurie Ann Paul
    Millstone Family Professor of Philosophy and Professor of Cognitive Science, University of Yale
  • Maurizio Ferraris Professor of Philosophy and Education Sciences, University of Torino Maurizio Ferraris
    Full Professor of Philosophy, University of Turin
  • R. Edward Freeman Academic director of the Institute for Business in Society, University of Virginia Darden School of Business R. Edward Freeman
    Academic director of the Institute for Business in Society, University of Virginia Darden School of Business
  • Robert Thomson Chief Executive, News Corp Robert Thomson
    Chief Executive, News Corp
  • Ruth Chang Chair and Professor of Jurisprudence, University of Oxford Ruth Chang
    Chair and Professor of Jurisprudence, University of Oxford
  • Seigen Mori Kiyomizu-dera Temple deacon Seigen Mori
    Kiyomizu-dera Temple deacon
  • Takahiro Nakajima Professor of Chinese Philosophy，Comparative Philosophy，Cultural Representation, University of Tokyo Takahiro Nakajima
    Professor of Chinese Philosophy，Comparative Philosophy，Cultural Representation, University of Tokyo
  • Wakanyi Hoffman Head of African AI and Ubuntu Ethics at Inclusive AI Lab,Unversity of Utrecht Wakanyi Hoffman
    Head of African AI and Ubuntu Ethics at Inclusive AI Lab,Unversity of Utrecht

Other participants will be announced as soon as they are confirmed.

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