The United States and 16 other countries have endorsed a sweeping new international initiative aimed at harnessing Super Intelligence (SI) to accelerate scientific discovery, broaden researchers' access to advanced computing infrastructure, and experiment with new models for funding science. The Kyoto Vision for a Golden Age of Science was formally endorsed on 4 October 2026 at the 23rd annual meeting of the Science and Technology in Society Forum in Kyoto, Japan, the White House announced.

What the Kyoto Vision Commits To

The declaration is organised around three broad pillars: reforming the institutions involved in scientific discovery, deploying Super Intelligence to accelerate research, and nurturing the next generation of scientific talent. On institutional reform, participating countries backed diversified funding mechanisms — including long-duration awards, rapid grants, prizes and open challenges — and encouraged experimentation with research bodies offering varying levels of autonomy and resources to scientists.

The declaration also welcomed 'metascience' — the empirical study of how science is conducted, organised and funded — as a tool for improving research for public benefit. On Super Intelligence specifically, ministers acknowledged that the technology is already accelerating existing research tasks while enabling entirely new forms of scientific inquiry, according to the White House.

The US Role and Trump Administration's Vision

The initiative was led by White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios, reflecting the Trump administration's broader effort to reshape the American scientific research system around artificial intelligence, advanced computing and new institutional models.

'The way we make scientific discoveries has changed, and the Kyoto Vision is a recognition of that shift and a call to action,' Kratsios said. 'Super intelligence applied to science will be the greatest force in history for democratising research. Seizing this moment requires us to reinvigorate our research enterprises and leverage new institutional models for discovery. Under President Trump's leadership, the United States is leading that charge, and the Kyoto Vision shows the world is ready to move forward with us.'

The initiative follows a report Kratsios delivered to President Donald Trump in July titled 'Science: A New Golden Age', which the White House described as the most comprehensive reconsideration of the American science and technology research enterprise in eight decades. That report established new directions for US government agencies on how they conduct, finance and measure the impact of research and development.

Which Countries Signed On — and Who Didn't

Besides the United States, the endorsing nations are Argentina, Bulgaria, Chile, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom — a geographically diverse coalition spanning Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East.

Notably, India is not among the countries listed as endorsing the declaration, a significant absence given its stature as a major scientific power and its active engagement in global AI governance conversations. The reasons for India's non-participation have not been officially stated.

Focus on Scientific Talent and Early-Career Researchers

The third pillar of the Kyoto Vision commits participating governments to identifying and investing in meritorious students and early-career researchers, granting them greater support and freedom to pursue ambitious work. The declaration calls for expanded hands-on training, cross-sector doctoral programmes, fellowships and research partnerships — particularly in fields requiring specialists capable of operating and advancing sophisticated scientific instruments.

As governments globally race to integrate AI into public research infrastructure, the Kyoto Vision signals a coordinated effort to ensure that Super Intelligence-driven discovery becomes a shared international endeavour rather than the preserve of a handful of technology superpowers.