#Japan #Tokyo #Rhizomatiks #Motoi Ishibashi #Bascule

Bascule Welcomes Motoi Ishibashi as External Executive Officer

Bascule Inc., based in Minato-ku, Tokyo, has appointed Motoi Ishibashi of Rhizomatiks as its external executive officer starting July 2025. This move represents a strategic effort to adapt to the rapidly changing landscape of creative industries influenced by generative AI. The rise of AI is transforming not just content creation but also the very structure of organizations and employment. Bascule aims to continuously generate valuable outputs by exploring innovative creative teamwork that fosters organic collaboration between humans and AI.

The Context of Ishibashi's Appointment

Bascule has consistently pushed the boundaries of digital technology across various domains, from advertising and service design to urban development and events. As generative AI becomes the norm, the intrinsic value of digital creative outputs is increasingly scrutinized, especially within teams whose main focus is on digital content. This understanding has prompted Bascule to advance research and development in the realm of physical AI—technologies that engage the human body and senses—while also constructing flexible, collaborative creative teams that can naturally integrate AI into their processes.

About Motoi Ishibashi

Motoi Ishibashi, an engineer and artist born in 1975, graduated from the Tokyo Institute of Technology and the International Academy of Media Arts and Sciences (IAMAS). He began his career as a freelancer, creating interactive visuals for window displays and advertisements, which were then not widely recognized. Since 2006, he has been actively producing media art works such as "Pa++ern", "fadeout", and "particles", showcased at numerous exhibitions, including at the Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media (YCAM), NTT InterCommunication Center (ICC), and Ars Electronica. Expanding his field since around 2010, Ishibashi has ventured into entertainment, contributing to music videos, concerts, and large-scale shows, developing new forms of expression using advanced systems in live performances. His work has been awarded prestigious accolades such as the Excellence Award at the 15th Japan Media Arts Festival and the Interactive Award at the Prix Ars Electronica.

A Vision for the Future

With Ishibashi on board, Bascule seeks to pursue three key initiatives:

1. Research and Development in Physical AI: Utilizing AI-driven robots and interactive technologies that appeal to bodily sensations, the aim is to create immersive experiences inaccessible through screens alone.
2. Global Experience Events: The company aspires to craft impactful experiences, transcending national and generational boundaries through various exhibitions, stage productions, sports events, and concerts, including contributions to expo pavilions.
3. Building a Creative Collective for the Generative AI Era: In a landscape where generative AI evolves, Bascule aims to establish a flexible team structure that challenges traditional employment norms, aspiring for outputs that achieve both scale and detail through collaboration with AI.

Comments from Leadership

Bascule's CEO, Seigi Park, commented on this historic integration of Ishibashi, emphasizing the ongoing changes in corporate structures and employment dynamics due to generative AI. He expressed confidence that Ishibashi’s dual role will symbolize a new era of creative collaboration and innovation. Having known each other for over two decades, Park believes their relationship will be pivotal in navigating these transformations.

Ishibashi expressed his excitement about this role, highlighting the urgent need for innovative approaches in response to the rapid shifts in the digital creative environment. He aims to contribute new perspectives and challenges to the production space, leveraging his past experiences.

Next Steps

Bascule's immediate focus will be prototyping in the physical AI domain and laying the groundwork for the new creative collective, aiming for a showcase in Spring 2026. Furthermore, they will explore original intellectual properties centered around space themes, building on the knowledge and networks gained from the KIBO Space Broadcasting Station.

Join Us in This New Challenge!

To support these initiatives, Bascule is seeking talented individuals in several fields like management, production planning, project management, and physical AI development. Candidates who wish to delve into human creativity in the age of generative AI and seek collaborative opportunities are encouraged to join.

Bascule is committed to flexible working styles tailored to individual expertise and lifestyle preferences, free from conventional constraints.

Contact:
Bascule Inc.
[email protected]