#Japan #Tokyo #AICA #BASSDRUM #Kanta Shimizu

BASSDRUM's Kanta Shimizu Takes the Helm of AICA Awards

In a groundbreaking development, Kanta Shimizu, a technical director at BASSDRUM Inc., has been named chairman of the newly established AI Creative Future Awards (AICA) by the Japan-based non-profit organization AICA. Situated in the heart of Tokyo's Minato Ward, BASSDRUM has long been recognized as one of Japan's leading collectives of technical directors. The AICA aims to explore new creative possibilities in the era of AI, which has significantly transformed various industries and artistic expressions including language, visuals, music, and stories.

The Purpose of AICA

As AI reshapes our understanding of creativity, it simultaneously challenges us to re-examine the essence of creation and humanity's role within it. The AICA is not merely a traditional award ceremony—it is an initiative aimed at documenting and encouraging discussions on creativity in the context of advancing AI technologies. Unlike typical awards, it focuses on the evaluation of creative expressions through deliberation and recording rather than commendation alone.

The award will research over a thousand creative cases globally and invite judges who are leaders in their respective fields, including advertising, art, music, and gaming, to discuss how AI is utilized and what new outputs emerge from it.

Emphasizing Dialogue Over Judgement

AICA signifies a trend toward the evolution of creativity as it emphasizes the significance of discourse surrounding AI and human creativity. It aims to visualize the pressing questions that arise in the intersection of these two realms and hopes to compile the insights derived from discussions into a comprehensive white paper on AI and creativity. This document is projected to be published in early spring 2026, following the awards ceremony planned for mid-December 2025.

Kanta Shimizu expressed his thoughts on the initiative, stating, “We live in fascinating times, filled with rapid innovations such as smartphones and blockchain, which in many ways distract and confuse us. As AI becomes increasingly prominent in our lives, we see a pressing need for reflection. The AICA’s mission is not just about awarding creativity but about diligently assessing the new methodologies brought forth by technology.” He believes that through ongoing discussions, AICA can serve as a guiding beacon for many.

About the AICA Awards

• - Name: AI Creative Future Awards (AICA)
• - Focus Area: Terrestrial projects that harness AI for various creative outputs (including advertising, art, music, video, and gaming)
• - Judging Format: Closed-off discussions (non-public)
• - Official Website: AICA Awards

Notable Members of the Judging Panel

The awards will feature an esteemed panel of judges from diverse backgrounds, including:

• - Toshihito Ogata (Design Engineer / Project Director at Takram)
• - Naoki Tokui (Artist / AI Researcher)
• - Asako Tomura (Producer at Art, Science and Society / University of Tokyo Faculty)
• - Yoichiro Miyake (Special Assistant Professor at Rikkyo University)
• - Aki Inomata (Artist / Professor at Musashino Art University)

About BASSDRUM

BASSDRUM stands at the forefront as the world’s first collective of technical directors, specializing in projects ranging from experiential facilities and showrooms to business transformation (DX) and development of new products. It uniquely integrates pioneering fields like AI to lead projects while maximizing the team's potential in creativity and technology. Discover more about BASSDRUM at BASSDRUM.

Kanta Shimizu and BASSDRUM are poised to lead discussions around the profound impacts of AI in creative sectors, shaping a new narrative for the future of creativity.