Events category: Annual Seminar Series Seminar

バイリンガル研究：第二言語習得とAI

日本や英国で増加するバイリンガルは、未来を創る重要な存在です。しかし、その習得プロセスには、今も多くの謎が残されています。本ウェビナーでは、最新のバイリンガル研究の知見を解き明かします。環境要因や個人の能力の影響や、ロンドン大学(UCL)の最新研究を通して、なぜ言語習得に差が生まれるのか、そして何がその大きな要因となるのかを紐解きます。

そしてこれらの知見をもとに、AI時代の今、家庭内外でどのように積極的な多言語環境を築けるのかについて考えます。未来の教育と研究の可能性について、皆さんと共に議論します。

Is AI Really Taking over Art?

Generative AI has rapidly been implemented across many fields, including the art sector. It has become much easier for people without any artistic or technical background to create their own ‘art’. From image generation to interactive installations, AI is transforming how art is created, experienced and perceived. In this seminar, new media artist Akane Hiraoka will explore how artists use AI in contemporary art practice and share insights into her multi-layered workflow. Akane will also present selected artworks while reflecting on the current possibilities and limitations of AI, and how these may evolve in the near future.

AI in Education

In this webinar, Associate Professor Lui Yoshida of the University of Tokyo will discuss the current state of generative AI adoption in Japan’s educational landscape. He will explore how teachers are navigating the challenges that have emerged alongside tools such as ChatGPT, and share his perspective on the future direction of AI integration in education. Carla Aerts, former Director of Futures at UCL’s Institute of Education and Global Digital Director at Cambridge University Press, will discuss the current state of AI in education in the UK. She will explore its possibilities and challenges, as well as how AI can contribute to personalised and immersive learning, support neurodiversity, and shape the future of education.

AI in Medical Practice

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping medical practice, with impacts already evident in diagnosis, surgery and physician performance. In this webinar, Dr Sugimoto, a distinguished surgeon at Teikyo University Hospital, discussed the current state of AI implementation in medical practice in Japan, as well as his work combining AI, virtual reality (VR) and robotics in surgical operations. Dr Stamatia then presented on AI-assisted tumour resection during robotic surgery, addressing both the opportunities and challenges, and offering insights into how AI is changing the way physicians perform surgery.

Storytelling in the Age of AI

In this talk moderated by Mattias Frey, the filmmaker and researcher Hikaru Kinouchi explored the theme “Storytelling in the Age of AI: What Changes, What Doesn’t.” Drawing on his multidisciplinary experience as a film producer and his academic background in neuroscience and the social sciences, Hikaru discussed the current state of AI in the film industry, how it is reshaping the filmmaking process, and how it is redefining the role of the creator. He also examined the relationship between storytelling and investment, why stories matter and how their value is assessed, and how AI may reshape the way stories are created and evaluated in the future.

Did the Atomic Bombs end World War II?

In August 1945, two atomic bombs were detonated over the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing thousands of people, including many civilians. A few days later, Japan officially surrendered, bringing World War II to an end. Conventional wisdom credits the dropping of the atomic bombs with Japan’s surrender and the end of WWII in Asia. Professor Richard Overy tells a different story in his new book Rain of Ruin: Tokyo, Hiroshima and the Surrender of Japan. In this webinar, moderated by Professor Endo, Professor Overy discussed his views on the use of the atomic bombs and how they changed the post-World War II world.

The Second Trump Administration: A Changing International Order

Trump’s second term has been impacting international relations between the US and the rest of the world at a whirlwind pace. The US-led international order established after WWII is shifting, bringing uncertainty on security, defence, and free trade to NATO, Japan, and the rest of the world. In this webinar, moderated by Bill Hayton of Chatham House, Japan’s former Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Hitoshi Tanaka discussed the new Trump Administration and its effects on the global order. How is the post-WWII international system changing, what are the potential impacts on Japan, and what can Japan do to mitigate them?

Radiation exposure and long-term health effects: Japanese atomic bomb survivors and British veterans

In August 1945, one month after the first nuclear weapons test, the US detonated atomic bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki, causing terrible human devastation. Survivors of these events (hibakusha) continue to suffer long-term physical and psychological effects even today. In this seminar, Masao Tomonaga explained the long-term effects of atomic bombs on human health from a medical perspective. Susie Boniface talked about British veterans exposed to nuclear tests and the physical effects on their health, based on her interviews with them.

Innovation in Space

A growing number of actors have become involved in space exploration in recent years. International cooperation is key, with the ISS showing a great example of what can be achieved when space agencies from different countries cooperate. But the present geopolitical context of growing frictions between global powers is rendering continued collaboration uncertain, and may lead to more intense competition for hegemony in space in the future. In this seminar moderated by Sara Russell, Naoko Yamazaki discussed the impact of changing relationships between the major national players on prospects for future international cooperation in space exploration, and the contribution of Japan’s innovative space programme.

Japan's Population Decline and Immigration

Japan’s population decline has accelerated in recent years. In 2022, all of Japan’s 47 prefectures reported a population drop for the first time, and the overall population decline was the largest since records began in 1968. In this webinar, Menju Toshihiro talked about the multiple factors contributing to Japan’s population decline, as well as the different measures being considered to address the issue, including immigration policies. Will Japan implement policies to encourage immigration? If so, what kind of changes will be needed in Japanese society? And what other policy responses will be needed, in both the short and long term?