This Open Access book captures the essential ideas and strategic perspectives shared by global leaders in science and technology, business, and policymaking at the STS forum 2025 in Kyoto. Addressing cutting-edge issues in artificial intelligence, sustainability, health, and governance, it translates high-level dialogue into an accessible, evidence-based narrative that connects scientific credibility with social responsibility and business excellence.

Drawing on the Forum’s multi-stakeholder discussions, the book explores how AI is reshaping knowledge creation and transforming human development and societal transformation, offering forward-looking reflections on ethics, equity, creativity, and leadership. It serves both as a record of the Forum’s deliberations and as a practical guide for decision-makers, educators, and corporate innovators seeking to align technological progress with inclusive and sustainable futures.

Hiroshi Komiyama
Hiroshi Komiyama is Chairman of the Science and Technology in Society (STS) forum and Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo. Formerly the university’s president (2005–2009), he is a leading voice in sustainability and innovation. Komiyama advocates for integrating science, technology, and policy to address global challenges such as energy, environment, and aging societies.

Yuya Kajikawa
Yuya Kajikawa is a Professor at the Institute for Future Initiatives (IFI), University of Tokyo. He specializes in innovation studies and sustainability science, focusing on technology foresight and knowledge integration. Kajikawa leads projects on energy transitions and circular economy, guiding policy and corporate strategies toward long-term sustainability.

Cristian Mejia
Cristian Mejia is a Project Associate Professor at the Institute for Future Initiatives (IFI), University of Tokyo. His research addresses sustainability transitions and global governance, emphasizing evidence-based strategies to achieve the SDGs. Mejia works with international networks to design systemic solutions for climate change, resource management, and socio-economic equity.

Yousif Elsamani
Yousif Elsamani is a Project Associate Professor at the Center for Global Commons, Institute for Future Initiatives (IFI), University of Tokyo. His work focuses on strategies for managing global commons—climate, biodiversity, and oceans—through interdisciplinary research and policy engagement. Elsamani collaborates internationally to align development with planetary boundaries and foster collective action for sustainability.

Kensuke Fukushi
Kensuke Fukushi is Director and Professor at the Institute for Future Initiatives (IFI), University of Tokyo. His expertise includes urban sustainability, water systems, and resilience planning. Fukushi leads international projects on sustainable cities, advocating for integrated approaches to water, energy, and food systems under climate change.