The Business Software Alliance welcomed the Act on Promotion of Research, Development and Utilization of Artificial Intelligence-related Technology when it passed the House of Councillors this week. Senior Vice President of Global Policy Aaron Cooper issued the following statement: 

“We congratulate the Government of Japan for enacting one of the world’s first AI laws with a particular focus on optimizing the use of AI.  Countries will be successful in the AI-age not only by creating the right incentives to develop new AI technologies, but also by creating a strategy to ensure other industries are putting AI to use.

In BSA’s 2024 AI Policy Readiness Index, Japan already scored highly for having guidelines that take advantage of risk management frameworks to provide trust and confidence in AI. This new law on AI promotion puts both Japan-based industries, and the government itself, in position for accelerated growth and efficiency in the coming years.”