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Stem cells, artificial intelligence, smartwatches—these are just a few of the breakthroughs with the potential to transform human health in the years ahead. In this session, we’ll hear from four innovators at the forefront of these technologies, all working to meet pressing medical needs. What does the future of medicine look like through their eyes? What challenges do they face in making it a reality? And how can we ensure that these advances benefit people everywhere—not just those who can afford them?

【Program Summary】
The session “Advancements in science & technology,” part of Health and Well-being Week, was held on June 28, 2025. The session addressed the impact that rapidly evolving science and technology can have on people’s health and well-being. The discussion explored iPS cells, AI, digital transformation in medicine, accessibility, science journalism, the implementation of science in society, and the challenges of public trust and ethics.
The panel discussed their visions for the future and current challenges, focusing on how science should be integrated into society and how science and technology will shape humanity's future.

【Speaker Summary: Kai Kupferschmidt】
Kai Kupferschmidt, a contributing correspondent at Science Magazine, gave a talk from the perspective of a journalist on how science connects with society, using many concrete examples. He first introduced his career and emphasized that for science to become meaningful to citizens, “the power of narrative” is indispensable. Especially in the pandemic era, simply presenting scientific facts accurately is not enough; how those facts are understood and accepted in society is the decisive factor.
He stated, “Science is not merely an accumulation of knowledge, but an activity that defines how we connect with the world.” He further explained that building trust lies at the core of science communication. He illustrated this by describing how trust between scientists and citizens often wavered over vaccine safety and mask effectiveness during the pandemic, pointing out that science only holds meaning within its relationship to society.
Kupferschmidt said similar issues exist with advanced technologies such as AI and warned about the gap between “technical correctness” and “social acceptance.” He emphasized that scientists need the ability to explain why a given technology is necessary in terms that citizens can understand. He argued that the role of science journalists as “translators” connecting science and the public is becoming ever more important.
He also spoke about the significance of the World Expo, calling it a rare opportunity for science and society to meet and draw a vision of the future through dialogue. While the advancement of technology poses a risk of accelerating social division, he positioned the Expo as a platform to overcome that division and create a “shared vision of the future.”
Finally, Kupferschmidt stressed that science’s role is not only to solve problems but also to question society’s values. In fields such as climate change and medical ethics, society must decide what to prioritize based on scientific knowledge, and he noted that the process of scientists and citizens sharing values through dialogue is indispensable. He concluded by emphasizing that in a society where distrust and misunderstanding of science are widespread, journalism bears great responsibility, particularly the “courage to convey uncertainty.” Science is an accumulation of hypotheses that is constantly updated, and faithfully communicating this fact leads to a more mature society. He closed by saying, “Science is a human endeavor and part of the story of all of us.”

【Speaker Summary: Damya Laoui】
Professor Damya Laoui of the Brussels Center of Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, presented the results and future prospects of her research on cancer immunotherapy. She first pointed out that cancer is still the second leading cause of death worldwide and the leading cause in Japan, with metastasis as the primary cause of death. Most patients do not die from the initial tumor but from cancer cells spreading to other organs, yet effective treatments for metastasis remain limited.
Laoui stressed the need for personalized therapies, as cancer has different genetic backgrounds in each patient. She focused on the potential of the immune system, particularly dendritic cells, which play a key role in cancer immunity. These cells infiltrate tumors, take in tumor antigens, present them to T cells, and activate immune responses while also generating immune memory to prevent recurrence.
Her research team developed a personalized vaccine therapy using mouse models, in which high-quality dendritic cells are isolated from tumor tissue and reintroduced into the patient. This approach targets even micro-metastases in the body and could achieve long-term prevention of recurrence. Preparations for clinical application are already underway, with Phase I clinical trials planned in Belgium from 2026 to 2027, and she expressed her hope for joint research in Japan as well.
Laoui also presented a vision of ideal cancer treatment for the future: “personalized optimized treatment through AI and multi-layered analysis.” Biopsies of patients’ tumors would be analyzed using technologies such as spatial transcriptomics and single-cell RNA analysis to visualize the immune composition. AI would then design the optimal treatment configuration for each patient (dendritic cell vaccines, mRNA nanoparticles, antibodies, nanobodies, etc.). A “learning medical model,” in which re-biopsies continuously evaluate and improve treatment effectiveness, could significantly advance cancer therapy.
She concluded her presentation by expressing strong expectations that with technological advances and international collaboration, personalized medicine could create a future where cancer is overcome, while acknowledging that many challenges still remain.

【Speaker Summary: Shin Kaneko】
Professor Shin Kaneko of the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, introduced “T cell regeneration therapy using iPS cell technology,” which is attracting attention as the fourth pillar of cancer treatment. Traditional cancer treatments consist of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, but “immunotherapy” has recently emerged as a new option. Treatments that activate T cells to attack cancer cells are expected to be highly effective due to their specificity and durability.
Kaneko explained that current cancer immunotherapies fall into two main categories: immune checkpoint inhibitors that release T cells from immune suppression and cell therapies such as CAR-T therapy, which genetically modify T cells to specifically recognize cancer. However, these therapies often rely on the patient’s own T cells, and when these cells are aged or dysfunctional, the therapeutic effect is limited.
To address this issue, Kaneko proposed a new approach using iPS cells. Cancer-specific T cells derived from patients are reprogrammed into iPS cells and regenerated into young, highly active T cells, retaining their original antigen specificity. This allows the mass supply of powerful T cells. Proof-of-concept has been demonstrated in animal experiments, and prospects for clinical application are now visible.
Initially, this therapy was deemed “too individualized to be realistic,” and it was difficult to obtain corporate or investor support. Kaneko and his team shifted their focus to “off-the-shelf immune cell products” that could be used by anyone, by using iPS cells from healthy donors and introducing T cell receptors that target cancer-associated antigens such as GPC3, along with gene editing to avoid immune rejection. These iPS-T cell products can be mass-produced and cryopreserved, with clinical trials planned for liver cancer, colorectal cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer starting in 2026.
Kaneko also said, “I will not give up on the dream of personalized therapy,” and introduced the concept of the “My -T-server,” a compact device capable of fully automated production of iPS-T cells on-demand for each patient. He envisions a future by 2040 in which patient-specific therapeutic cells can be generated as needed, balancing personalized and universal treatments through technological progress and industry-academia collaboration.

【Speaker Summary: Charit Bhograj】
Dr. Charit Bhograj, founder of Tricog Health Pte Ltd., introduced his efforts to realize “rapid and universal diagnostic environments for heart disease,” interweaving personal experiences and his entrepreneurial journey. He pointed out that heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, and by the end of 2025, approximately 20 million people are expected to die from it. Half of these lives could have been saved with accurate diagnosis and early treatment, making “when and where a diagnosis is made” the key issue.
Bhograj has worked as a cardiologist for 20 years, mainly in developing countries, where he saw structural problems such as the shortage of specialists in rural areas. In 2009, he founded Tricog Health in India to address these challenges. Tricog’s system combines diagnostic devices such as ECGs and ultrasounds installed in local clinics with a cloud-based AI platform. Data collected from patients are analyzed by AI within six minutes, and diagnostic reports on more than 140 types of heart disease are immediately returned to the site. This enables advanced diagnosis even in areas without specialists, dramatically improving the speed and quality of care.
Currently, the service is deployed in more than 12,500 medical facilities in over 14 countries and has screened more than 27 million people at risk of heart disease. Tricog aims to support the diagnosis of 100 million people by 2030 and envisions a future where AI enables “home-level heart disease prediction.”
Bhograj also mentioned changes in society’s acceptance of AI. When he started, there was strong resistance to AI in the medical field, but the spread of generative AI like ChatGPT has begun to lower these psychological barriers. He is working with regulatory authorities to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of medical AI and aims to obtain formal approval.
He further noted that AI-driven medical innovation holds the potential for “reverse innovation”—technological breakthroughs emerging from developing countries and spreading to advanced economies. Because heart disease is a common condition worldwide, AI-trained models can be applied across regions, offering significant advances in global health.

【Speaker Summary: Chieko Asakawa】
Chieko Asakawa, IBM Fellow and Chief Executive Director of Miraikan, spoke about her challenges in technology development and social implementation based on her own experience as a visually impaired person. She lost her vision at age 11 due to an accident and was completely blind by age 14, but her strong desire for independence drove her into technology development. Since joining IBM in 1985, she has been conducting groundbreaking research in information accessibility and is now working on navigation technology that enables the visually impaired to move freely.
The “AI Suitcase” being developed by Asakawa is a navigation robot designed to help visually impaired individuals walk freely through city environments. This robot is equipped with a LiDAR sensor, an RGBD camera, a GNSS antenna, and an AI-powered voice interaction system. These technologies enable the suitcase to recognize its surroundings and the movement of people nearby, allowing it to safely guide users to their destinations.Users can set destinations through handle operations or voice commands. Demonstrations showed the suitcase autonomously guiding users to locations such as the French Pavilion while avoiding obstacles.
This effort stems from her desire to realize future visions she once dreamed of. As a child, she was inspired by a character from the science fiction TV show Kousoku Esper and envisioned an AI guide that provides visual information through audio. Currently, proof-of-concept experiments are underway at the Expo venue, and many participants have expressed positive feedback, saying, “I could walk just like sighted people” and “I felt hope for the future.”
Asakawa pointed out that there are not only technical challenges to commercialization but also social and institutional barriers. For example, passing through airport security smoothly and interfacing with traffic signals at intersections remain issues. She also mentioned privacy concerns, as the AI suitcase is equipped with cameras, and stressed the importance of social understanding and acceptance.
She compared this process to how guide dogs gradually gained social recognition and said, “Similarly, it will take time and dialogue for AI Suitcases to become an ‘ordinary presence’ in society.” At this stage, the technology is ready for use in buildings such as shopping malls, museums, and airports. She expressed her intention to accelerate efforts toward full-scale deployment in offices and public spaces.
Asakawa emphasized that the pursuit of accessibility has been a driving force behind several past technological innovations. She pointed out that even technologies such as the telephone and the internet were, in part, originally inspired by the needs of people with disabilities. She advocated that enhancing accessibility can serve as a catalyst for innovation that transforms society as a whole. She concluded by stating, “I hope the Osaka-Kansai Expo will be a catalyst for social implementation.”

【Discussion Summary】
In the latter half of the session, moderator Kai Kupferschmidt posed questions to each speaker, leading to lively discussions on core issues in modern society, such as “the future of health and well-being brought about by technology” and “building trust as a bridge between science and society.”
Asakawa stressed that “scientists and engineers should develop technology while listening to society’s voices,” citing the AI Suitcase as an example of development based on the voices of the visually impaired. She emphasized that technologies rooted in social issues are the ones truly needed.
Kaneko cited cutting-edge medical therapies such as “T cell regeneration therapy using iPS cells” and stated, “Scientific progress comes with ethical and social impacts, and to enhance its acceptance, clear and honest explanations and dialogue are important.” He added that regenerative medicine is both a “dream” and a “responsibility,” highlighting the challenge of balancing transparency and trust in science.
Bhograj said that technology should be used “to bring people closer together” and introduced examples of AI-based medical diagnostic support systems saving patients’ lives. He particularly emphasized that “AI can be a tool to correct medical disparities” and called for the importance of spreading technology regardless of whether countries are developing or developed.
Laoui focused on “fostering scientific trust in the Global South,” suggesting that even in regions without research infrastructure, science and technology can take root more easily by integrating with local cultures and medical practices. She added that in different cultural contexts, scientists need to build trust not as “explainers” but as “co-creators.”
Reflecting on the discussion, Kupferschmidt concluded that scientists, engineers, and journalists each need to play the role of “translators” who contextualize complex technologies in the lives of ordinary people. He also stated that “the courage to communicate uncertainty, even as it is, is essential for a mature society,” presenting both challenges and hopes for deepening mutual understanding between science and society.