Kong Joins the AI Governance Association to Enhance Responsible AI Practices

Kong's Commitment to AI Governance

In May 2025, Kong, a preeminent company in the API platform sector headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, officially joined the AI Governance Association (AIGA) as a member. This move demonstrates Kong's dedication to utilizing its expertise in cybersecurity and organizational culture to foster discussions aimed at responsible AI use and policy proposals.

Background and Objectives

As generative AI technology evolves, the capacity for AI integration through APIs and data utilization is rapidly increasing. However, this trend has also highlighted new risks related to privacy, security, and transparency. Recognizing that APIs will serve as the core infrastructure in the AI era, Kong has been diligent in advancing the development of a secure and reliable foundation for these essential services.

Kong staunchly advocates for the safety, observability, and governance of APIs that support AI. The company actively engages in risk management, addressing not only technological aspects but also organizational and cultural factors. Their strong resonance with the principles of AIGA motivated them to join the organization. Through this partnership, Kong aims to contribute to the creation of a sustainable and trustworthy AI society by enhancing collaboration across various sectors.

Moving forward, Kong plans to leverage its knowledge in API management, security, and observability to strengthen governance frameworks crucial for the technological foundations of the AI era.

Statements from Leadership

Hiroaki Sakuma, a director of the AI Governance Association, emphasized the importance of APIs as a vital infrastructure connecting businesses and society amid the evolving landscape of generative AI and data utilization. He stated, “The establishment of safety, visibility, and management of APIs is a critical theme supporting the foundation of AI governance. Kong has developed a globally recognized API platform, contributing to enhancing both the reliability and scalability of organizations. We wholeheartedly welcome Kong's membership in AIGA and look forward to advancing discussions together, aiming for a society where AI governance is the norm.”

Daisuke Ariizumi, President of Kong, shared his insights on the matter, stating, “At Kong, we have supported businesses in their digital transformation and AI adoption through a cloud-native and secure API infrastructure. We believe that risk management in the AI era should start at the design level of APIs and inter-service communications. As a company dedicated to embedding governance as a design principle, we resonate with AIGA's initiatives and will continue to contribute to enhancing societal trust overall.”

About the AI Governance Association

Founded in 2023, the AI Governance Association (AIGA) aims to create a safe environment for businesses and society to leverage AI responsibly amid the rapid expansion of AI business use cases and the increasing awareness of associated risks. With the swift evolution of domestic and international policy dynamics, AIGA facilitates discussions among diverse players on the future of AI governance, intending to achieve sustainable growth through responsible AI practices.

From October 2024, AIGA will expand its activities to strengthen social implementation of AI governance and collaboration with policymakers.

Members include global tech leaders like Google, Microsoft Japan, and AWS Japan, alongside major companies from finance, insurance, telecommunications, IT, HR, and manufacturing, as well as startups focused on AI and data. AIGA endeavors to cultivate a shared understanding of ideal AI governance across industries and participate in policy advocacy activities.

For additional information, visit AIGA's website.

About Kong

Kong is a leading company in cloud API technology, helping enterprises worldwide evolve into API-first organizations, facilitating accelerated and secure AI adoption. Kong supports organizations of all sizes—from startups to Fortune 500 companies—improving developer productivity, ensuring application security, and accelerating time-to-market.