Special Lecture by H.E Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia Humanity in A Human-Machine Civilisation

On Tuesday, June 9, 2026, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia visited Hongo Campus. At the Ito International Research Center, he delivered a special lecture titled “Humanity in a Human-Machine Civilisation” before a full audience. Approximately 400 attendees—including students, invited guests, and invitees from the Embassy of Malaysia—listened attentively.

Prior to the lecture, Prime Minister Anwar met with President Teruo Fujii. He was accompanied by Executive Vice President Kaori Hayashi, Vice President Yujin Yaguchi, Director Masakazu Sugiyama of the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), and Professor Satoshi Ikeuchi, among others.

The lecture was moderated by Vice President Yaguchi. At the outset, President Fujii delivered welcoming remarks, referring to the longstanding friendship between Japan and Malaysia and emphasizing the university’s mission to connect technological innovation with the “public good.”

In his keynote address, Prime Minister Anwar acknowledged the productivity gains brought about by artificial intelligence, while stressing that “what truly matters is whether human beings can preserve values such as judgment, responsibility, and compassion.” He further underscored that educational institutions are tasked not only with transmitting knowledge but also with cultivating essential human values such as empathy and integrity. He concluded by stating that AI should not lead humanity; rather, humanity must guide AI wisely.


The Q&A session following the lecture was moderated by Executive Vice President Hayashi. A wide range of questions were raised by the audience, including those concerning international cooperation in AI development and Malaysia’s role on the global stage. Prime Minister Anwar responded thoughtfully to each question, drawing on his own experiences and offering encouragement to the younger generation.

The event concluded with a commemorative group photograph, bringing the successful lecture to a close.


This visit also marked a further deepening of ties between the University of Tokyo and Malaysia, including the indication of new collaboration between the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology and the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).

【Event Overview】