AMSTERDAM - To begin this week’s podcast, The Yuan’s contributor and Delta Dialog guest Tomoko Mitsuoka highlights how cultural backgrounds shape people's understanding of artificial intelligence (AI). In Japan, concepts from Shintoism - which features a belief in multiple gods and spirits - have led to a more accepting view of AI. By contrast, people in Western societies - who often have monotheistic religious beliefs - are more likely to view AI with skepticism and fear. Japanese pop culture, especially anime and manga, has also played a significant role in familiarizing the public with AI and robots, portraying them as human-like companions rather than existential threats. The conversation also covers the ethical implications of AI and the challenges in establishing international regulations, with Ms Mitsuoka pointing out the difficulty of creating universal AI regulations due to differing cultural definitions of ethics. She suggests that while a neutral approach to AI design might be preferable, it is essential to consider cultural differences if one is to create inclusive and effective regulations. There is even discussion about the potential need for an international organization dedicated to AI governance, one that will help achieve a consens