"What should humans do in the age of AI?" Morikatron's Future Vision of "Games x AI x Embodiment"

*Our company supports "April Dream," which aims to make April 1st a day to announce dreams.
This press release is a dream of "Morikatron Inc."

Morikatron Inc. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Yukihito Morikawa), Japan's first "Entertainment AI" development and research company, announces its vision on the themes of "the role of humans in the age of AI" and "the future of games x AI x embodiment."

This content is Representative Morikawa's own thoughts on the future of human existence in the AI era and "games x AI x embodiment," looking "just a little ahead."

Although it may sound like a dream or delusion, we consider it a theme that could lead to future research and development.

■ In the age of AI, what should we do?

With AI now handling many intellectual activities, what should we humans do?
What are the things AI cannot do, things it can do but poorly, or things we don't want it to do even if it could?

One of them, I believe, is thinking about silly things, thinking about outlandish things, deliberately blurring the focus to think from a bird's-eye view, and trusting intuition and a sixth sense.

And, I think it's also necessary to have the "insensitivity" not to over-consider others when we feel embarrassed to tell them such things, or worry about being ridiculed or offending them.

In society until now, things that were considered to be thought by "incompetent people" or "people with low civility" might actually be the last remaining roles for humans.

I apologize for the long preamble, but based on the above thoughts, here's a little more about what's closer to delusion than a dream.

■ Are games getting closer to "inside the body"?

Video games, born in university laboratories, have advanced into arcade cabinets, home consoles, and mobile devices, literally becoming "familiar."

However, their approach to the body doesn't stop there.

They are further closing the distance, moving from things held in the hand to things worn like wearable devices.

So, what's next?

It might be "entering the body."

If this happens, it will be possible to share not only information from the body's surface but also internal information, enabling a greater exchange of information. This is similar to how blood tests and urine tests provide more reliable bodily information than a medical interview.

Furthermore, this change is not merely a reduction in physical distance. Interactions, which were limited to sight and hearing, are expanding to include vibrations, temperature, and tactile sensations, and are becoming more bidirectional with the addition of information sent from the body, such as heart rate, body temperature, and body movements.

By entering the body, deeper and more extensive information will be involved, enabling interactions that encompass the entire body.

■ Body Hacking and the Future of Entertainment

This might sound a little alarming, but we have already begun to implement machines and computers inside our bodies. Pacemakers, artificial lenses, cochlear implants, and pet microchips are examples of this.

Personally, I feel that a future where mechanisms like transportation IC cards are embedded in the body is not far off.

On the other hand, video games are also moving beyond being just games on a monitor, expanding into forms of play that presuppose integration with the real world and the body, such as XR and digital twins.

These movements did not start suddenly; I believe they have finally become possible due to advancements in communication and devices.

"Body hacking" is highly compatible with this trend and may synchronize with it in the future.

So, what kind of "play" will emerge then? And can it even be called play?

This is an area where no one has yet found the answer.

■ The Dream of "Games x AI x Embodiment"

The future delusions discussed so far are thought to expand in much the same way if "games" are replaced with "AI."
So-called "physical AI" should not be limited to robot control but should also include AI implemented in implantable devices within the body.

While there are challenges such as whether these can truly become entertainment and gain societal understanding, we believe that "Games x AI x Embodiment" is one of the important research themes for the future.

And for Morikatron, it is also a big "dream."

■ Company Profile: Morikatron Inc.

Morikatron was established in 2017 as Japan's first "Entertainment AI" company.

With the mission of "Bringing playfulness to everyday life with Entertainment AI," we deliver not only smart AI services but also "fun AI services" that bring dreams and inspiration to the world.

We also operate our owned media "Morikatron AI Lab" and host our own event "Morikatron AI Connect" to share the latest information on Entertainment AI and promote initiatives that contribute to the revitalization of the entire industry.

*The information in this press release is current as of the distribution date.

Please note that the content may change without prior notice.