AI Magazine June 2026 Issue 43 | Page 139

false dichotomy. A third path is possible – one that upholds citizens’ rights, prevents discrimination and tackles disinformation, while still creating the conditions for responsible innovation and economic growth.
Which countries are in the best position to lead with this‘ third path’? Two stand out. The UK and Japan are both globally-trading, technologicallyadvanced democracies with mature regulatory systems and strong commitments to the rule of law. Both host globally-significant AI research communities and privatesector innovators. Crucially, both have articulated a philosophy that rejects the trade-off between ethics and growth.
The UK-Japan Digital Partnership formalised these shared values, committing the UK and Japan to promote resilient digital infrastructure, champion safe cross-border data flows and collaborate on AI governance and standards within a human-centred values framework.
This philosophy is captured by Japan’ s long-standing Society 5.0 agenda. It positions advanced technologies –
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