Yamanashi Prefectural University and Technel Launch 'makers Unlearn (mU)', a Program to Re-examine Creativity in the AI Era

Yamanashi Prefectural University and Technel have announced the launch of "makers Unlearn - Re-examining 'Creating' in the AI Era Toward an Uncharted Future," a proactive learning program for professionals seeking new forms of creation in the age of AI, starting July 2026.

Over 50 lecturers will participate, including brain scientist Kenichiro Mogi, graphic designer Kenya Hara, and Wired Japan editor-in-chief Tomoaki Matsushima. The faculty also includes researchers from institutions such as the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, Hokkaido University, and Tama Art University, alongside anthropologists, philosophers, designers, artists, and entrepreneurs.

Rather than teaching AI simply as a convenient tool, the program explores fundamental questions such as "What is human?", "What is creativity?", and "How do we create the future society?" by crossing diverse intellectual perspectives including anthropology, philosophy, design, technology, and social implementation.

The program offers 12 elective courses totaling 210 hours. A certificate of completion is awarded upon finishing 5 courses and submitting assignments.

Concept: "Toward an Uncharted Future"

This program serves as a practical space to re-examine the very meaning of "creating" in the AI era. While generative AI allows us to instantly obtain "plausible answers," the program focuses on fundamental questions like "Why create this?" and "What do we want to implement in society?"

"makers Unlearn" is not just about skills or reskilling. Through dialogue with instructors from various fields, participants will re-examine the core of what it means to create—not just things, but services, projects, communities, policies, and the future of local regions. The goal is to discover an "uncharted future" beyond mere efficiency and optimization.

Program Features:

1. 4-STEP Curriculum:
- STEP 1: Foreseeing the Future (How AI changes "creation")
- STEP 2: Tracing to the Source (Re-examining why humans create)
- STEP 3: Redefining the Present (Discovering other possibilities of technology)
- STEP 4: Designing Social Implementation (Envisioning different futures)

2. Distinguished Faculty:
- Kenichiro Mogi (Brain Scientist)
- Kenya Hara (Graphic Designer)
- Keiko Nakamura (Honorary Director, JT Biohistory Research Hall)
- Tomoaki Matsushima (Editor-in-Chief, Wired Japan)
- Naotaka Fujii (President, Digital Hollywood University)
- Takashi Ikegami (Professor, University of Tokyo)
- Junichi Murata (Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo)
- Teruhiko Wakayama (Professor, University of Yamanashi)
- Atsushi Hasegawa (Professor, Musashino Art University)
- Akihiro Kubota (Professor Emeritus, Tama Art University)
- Atsushi Hayashi (Founder, Next Commons Lab)

3. Flexible Learning:
Participants can freely select from 12 courses based on their interests. While online courses are available globally, practical field training will be conducted in Yamanashi Prefecture and Iriomote Island.