Dr. Lotfi El Hafi, Senior Researcher at the Ritsumeikan Global Innovation Research Organization (R-GIRO), and Dr. Felix von Drigalski, Senior Researcher at OMRON SINIC X, were chosen by the German Centre for Research and Innovation Tokyo (DWIH Tokyo) to moderate the “First Japanese-German-French Symposium for International Research and Applications on Artificial Intelligence” (AI) that took place on November 21-22, 2018.

The event boasted a prestigious international audience of about 350 participants and 65 speakers from Japan, Germany, and France, with many more joining online on YouTube. As a moderator, Dr. El Hafi coordinated the guests on stage, moderated their discussions, and highlighted their inputs.

The symposium aimed to foster new trilateral strategic collaborations by gathering experts from all three countries around the latest advances in AI technology and policy to address future key challenges in academic research, business development, and state sovereignty.

Representing Ritsumeikan University, Dr. El Hafi had the opportunity to meet with state representatives such as His Excellency Dr. Hans Carl von Werthern (Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Japan), His Excellency Mr. Laurent Pic (Ambassador of France to Japan), and His Excellency Mr. Takuya Hirai (Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy in Japan) to promote the research activities at R-GIRO.

This made Ritsumeikan University, and R-GIRO in particular, shine on the international stage by playing a central role in the AI strategic development and collaboration between three global powers.

More information:
Official website: http://www.dwih-tokyo.jp/home/calendar/ai-symposium201811/
Photo gallery: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/egych6uvihqjz6v/AAAJaOWIdzYwPScxWroKBAmEa?dl=0
YouTube live streams:
Day 1: https://youtu.be/DMTABJZcOE8
Day 2: https://youtu.be/zXVbpQ_vhCQ