On a warm spring-like March 9, I and my peer Youth Fellow Kiyoka Tokumasu participated to the Nobel Peace Prize Dialogue on the theme of The Future of Life held at the Pacifico Yokohama Conference Center in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, Japan. The conference saw the participation of Nobel Prize Laureates from diverse disciplines animating the debate on the essence of the human nature in the face of contemporary technological developments and societal changes.

At the center of the conversation were critical technologies and challenges such as artificial intelligence, genetic technologies, quantum computing, and the development of sustainable materials, interrogating how they can serve to maximize social benefits while mitigating the possible risks. The participation of experts and Nobel Prize Laureates from all scientific fields was the recipe for a successful and inspiring event.

Kiyoka and I found the discussion on quantum computing particularly exciting, with inspiring remarks by the panelists on its possible uses for secure communications and scientific research. Between a panel and a coffee, the Kiyoka and I engaged with the audience of the conference for some OCDTs-Open Chair Democracy Talks, benefiting from an international and enthusiastic participation.

In the following days, Kiyoka and I took to the streets to carry on more OCDTs in one of the busiest spots in Tokyo, the Shibuya Scramble Crossing. In this occasion, we had conversations with people from many backgrounds and ages, with the intention to sound out the democratic spirit of Japanese citizens. The results were insightful, bringing up relevant questions around the intertwined nature of democracy, national and social culture. A recurring topic among Japanese interviewees was the perceived distance of the political elite and the difficulty in understanding the day-to-day political debates, along with the importance of knowledge and education for personal and political empowerment.

From Tokyo, with the hope to explore always new places and people, arigato gozaimasu!