#Japan #KDDI #Shibuya #NewsPicks #iai

Transforming Short Drama Production with AI

iai Corporation, a creative tech company based in Shibuya, Tokyo, is revolutionizing video production through its collaboration with KDDI and Userbase, the company behind NewsPicks. Their joint project, the vertical short drama series "Shimauma Theater," has achieved an impressive 700 million total views, showcasing business insights and future perspectives through engaging dramatic content broadcasted on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and X.

In the initiative, iai leveraged advanced artificial intelligence technology to create challenging video cuts that would otherwise be difficult to achieve through traditional filming techniques. Utilizing generative AI, the company has catered to safety and compliance restrictions that often hinder filming live-action sequences.

Addressing Filming Challenges

Creating vertical short dramas demands captivating and impactful video content within a limited timespan. However, production teams frequently encounter challenges that make it impossible to film certain scenes due to safety regulations and other constraints. Scenes involving hazardous events, such as traffic accidents or natural disasters, prioritize actor and crew safety above all.

For instance, if a scene requires depicting a car crash, the safety of the actors involved must be guaranteed. In a controlled studio environment, filming scenes that involve food messes or lingering odors is often prohibited. Additionally, when engaging with corporate clients, even the representation of food items may require careful consideration, ensuring no disrespectful depiction occurs. There are safety concerns regarding potential equipment damage or hazards when creating action-reliant narratives, such as appliances malfunctioning.

By embracing AI technology, iai effectively addresses these filming obstacles, offering new creative avenues and expanding expressive options.

AI Production Highlights

A standout from the Shimauma Theater series is the Valentine-themed episode, which marked iai's first involvement. On February 11, 2026, the episode "Valentine's Day is Not Special?" showcased the use of AI to depict a scene where a bowl filled with chocolates is hurled to the ground by a mother-in-law, an act that would typically present challenges in a live setting due to studio constraints and corporate considerations.

Following this, iai produced additional AI video cuts for the episode "Grandma, That's Dangerous!" on March 18, 2026, featuring three distinct scenes of a bicycle rider involved in a traffic accident. This approach not only safeguarded the actors but also conveyed the series' message effectively.

The episode "Don't Cause Natural Disasters in My House!" released on March 23, 2026, showcased four thrilling AI-generated scenes involving:

• - A rice cooker erupting with curry,
• - Curry spilling onto the floor from a rice pot,
• - A washing machine shaking noisily,
• - Water splashing in a sink, creating a rainbow.

These segments exemplify how AI can recreate effects and actions that would otherwise present significant risks in a traditional setup.

iai’s Role and Value Proposition

As part of Shimauma Theater, iai specializes in transforming scenes that are hard to achieve through standard filming methods using generative AI technology. Here are some of the distinctive applications of their AI visuals:

• - Ensuring Actor Safety: Replicating dangerous scenes like vehicle collisions without putting actors at risk.
• - Compliance Considerations: Portraying potential waste of food items without the actual use of food.
• - Adapting to Filming Restrictions: Finding alternatives to situations that might cause messes or damage in studio settings.
• - Delivering Special Effects: Producing visually striking elements, such as appliances malfunctioning or animated rainbows.

Through these initiatives, AI technology demonstrates its capability not only in conjuring imaginary visuals but also in crafting realistic yet production-challenging expressions.

Future Vision

Looking ahead, iai is committed to advancing the use of AI technology in video content creation, including Shimauma Theater and other projects. The company aims to eliminate safety and compliance barriers while expanding creative possibilities in filmmaking, thereby contributing to the evolution of content production.

About iai Corporation

iai Corporation is a pioneering creative tech firm specializing in AI-driven video production and support services. Established in June 2025 and led by CEO Toshizumi Tsuboi, the company helps businesses enhance their content creation processes while utilizing generative AI solutions and consulting services. For more information, visit iai.co.jp.