On Thursday, June 12, Youngsuk "YS" Chi, Chairman of Elsevier―a global leader in scientific information and analytics―visited the Tokyo Satellite of the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST), where he held a meeting with President Minoru Terano, Dean Ryuhei Uehara of the School of Advanced Science and Technology, and Vice President Amane Koizumi.

During the visit, active discussions took place regarding JAIST's initiatives aimed at regional development and its ongoing efforts to drive social transformation through the use of artificial intelligence (AI). One of the most notable topics was the emerging concept of the "4th Generation University," a new vision for higher education.

The "4th Generation University" in Europe and Its Alignment with JAIST's Vision

Mr. Chi introduced the concept of the "4th Generation University," referring to institutions that go beyond the traditional roles of education, research, and social contribution, by engaging proactively and practically in solving local challenges and building sustainable societies. This new framework has gained significant attention in European higher education, representing a redefinition of the university's societal value.

JAIST has already launched numerous projects aligned with this vision―such as Matching HUB Hokuriku―through frameworks of collaboration among academia, industry, government, and civil society, aiming to co-create the future together with local communities. These efforts demonstrate that JAIST is already on a path consistent with the ideals of the 4th Generation University.

Mr. Chi remarked, "As envisioned in the Fourth Generation University model, universities must embrace new values. Elsevier sees itself as a driving force in creating a new paradigm powered by AI, and we look forward to collaborating with JAIST in this effort." His comment expressed strong expectations for further cooperation between the two institutions.

Left：President Minoru Terano　Right：Youngsuk "YS" Chi, Chairman of Elsevier

AI-Driven Social Transformation and the Wisdom of Humanity

The discussion also delved into JAIST's initiative for AI-driven social transformation. As AI increasingly supports human work and decision-making, the question arises: how can we refine and apply Human Wisdom―the uniquely human capacity for insight, ethics, and adaptive intelligence? All participants agreed that universities play a key role in fostering and developing this wisdom.

President Terano emphasized, "AI is not a solution to everything. While JAIST actively promotes AI-driven transformation, we are also committed to advancing human wisdom through cutting-edge science and technology." He underscored the university's responsibility in shaping this crucial balance.

JAIST's Path Forward

This meeting reaffirmed a globally shared value: universities must remain rooted in their regions while taking on global-scale challenges. Looking ahead, the collaboration between Elsevier and JAIST is expected to deepen across a wide range of fields, including research support, scholarly publishing, AI ethics, knowledge visualization, and the advancement of Human Wisdom.

As a university open to its local communities and engaged in global dialogue, JAIST continues to take steady steps toward its next stage―creating the future through science, technology, and wisdom.

June 23, 2025