Technology and Expression—The Future Revealed Through NHK's "NEXT WORLD" Coverage—(Part 2)

It is said that by 2045, computers will surpass human intelligence, reaching the Singularity (technological singularity). In January 2015, the NHK Special "NEXT WORLD: Our Future" aired (a 5-part series). To explore future society and the nature of humanity, the production team visited and interviewed scientists and researchers worldwide. Furthermore, this series gained attention as a new form of television content for the internet age through collaborations with creators like Sakanaction, Rhizomatiks, and UNREALAGE. It was also published as a book by NHK Publishing. For this Design Talk, program directors Tomotaka Okada and Tatsushi Tachibana, along with producer Toru Ogawa, took the stage. They engaged in a session with Tomonori Kagaya, a business development planner with strong technology expertise, and Yoshimitsu Sawamoto, a CM planner and creative director representing Dentsu Inc. We present this discussion, spanning two parts, where they explored future technology and expression while shining light on their respective interests.

 

How will people

How will people accept it?

Kagaya: The conscious aspect of why people feel something is "good" remains unexplained, right?

Okada: I think it's fair to say we don't understand it at all. The more I researched how consciousness arises, the more I found an overwhelming number of theories, creating a state of chaos.

Kagaya: I created "necomimi," a communication tool activated by brainwaves. Even then, I pondered consciousness extensively, yet much remained unclear. Today, I was shocked to learn about conjoined twins Tatiana and Kristina, who communicate without language. The brain-machine interface featured in the third broadcast attempts to achieve this through technology. How will such technology impact humanity?

Tachibana: I believe cyborg technology must continue advancing rapidly to truly help those in need, like people with physical disabilities. On the other hand, there are concerns about its military applications. The biggest issue is who decides whether this research should even be conducted.

Sawamoto: What really surprised me was the story about tiny robots injected into the bloodstream that selectively attack cancer cells. It was completely different from what I imagined robot technology or computers to be.

Okada: Even though we call them robots, they aren't the typical metal mechanical robots. They're molecular robots, utilizing nanotechnology and DNA applications to modify DNA and proteins within living organisms, giving them robotic-like functions.

Kagaya: The Singularity, as proposed by Dr. Kurzweil, is where three key areas—genomics, nanotechnology, and robotics—intertwine, starting around 2015, to completely transform our world. While Singularity research is thriving on the West Coast, when I speak with researchers on the East Coast, I often sense more anti-Singularity views. I imagine the program received various opinions, but were they generally favorable toward singularity-like concepts?

Okada: There were both negative and positive views, but people were particularly negative about AI deciding their own lives. However, there's also this perspective: When Google emerged, some people strongly opposed it, saying they hated that Google knew their search terms because it invaded their privacy. But in the end, the vast majority started using the search function. I wonder if something similar is happening here. For example, at one American university, students have AI select courses that suit them. This is an instance of AI choosing life paths, yet the students aren't negative about it at all. Courses chosen by AI reportedly lead to good grades, no failures, and successful job placements, resulting in high student satisfaction. So, I think it might seep into society in this way.

 

How can we use AI

can humans find happiness?

Ogawa: In a website survey, the most positively received idea was "a rejuvenation drug," with many people wanting to take it themselves. The most negatively received idea was "bringing deceased people back to life on a computer."

Tachibana: In a discussion featuring Harvard's Professor Sandel and students from Japan, the US, and China (broadcast in June 2015 on "Michael Sandel's Fiery Classroom: Let's Talk About Science and Happiness") using "NEXT WORLD" as a theme, half the students chose the AI when asked, "When choosing a marriage partner, would you pick the one recommended by a perfect AI or the one recommended by your parents?" Their reasoning was that parents have outdated ideas and strong biases, whereas AI would fairly and objectively select the perfect match from a large pool of candidates.

Okada: On "NEXT WORLD," we also featured someone who developed his own AI for marriage matching and ended up marrying through it. He was initially elated, thinking every woman his AI selected would be perfect for him. But as he met more people, he realized he was only meeting the same type. The woman he ultimately married was someone the AI rated low, but he decided to meet her anyway. He put it this way: "The AI doesn't decide everything, but without its help, I wouldn't have met her. So the AI is a must."

Sawamoto: His story is fascinating. The idea that you'll definitely click with someone who shares your tastes and preferences was a revelation for me, even beyond the AI context. When you run something you casually do—like deciding you "like" someone—through an AI filter, you realize, "Oh, that's why I do that." Thinking about it that way, AI feels less like an enemy and more like something that could become an ally if we learn to coexist with it.

Kagaya: How can we use AI to make humans happier? In shogi, we're already seeing human players teaming up with AI to compete.

Okada: AI apparently comes up with moves humans wouldn't think of. While some people reject that, others think, "Why not learn from it?"

Ogawa: IBM's Chef Watson is also shocking the culinary world by creating recipes humans couldn't conceive, right?

Kagaya: When people from various countries gathered, it suggested dishes everyone could eat while considering religious restrictions. The recipes were things humans would never have thought of.

Okada: Like a Korean-style Greek salad (laughs). I actually tried it, and it was surprisingly good. I'd never eaten anything like it before, but it was a new kind of deliciousness.

Kagaya: So it solved the problem, right? (laughs)

Ogawa: In one AI-driven business, they're creating a personal AI for each individual to suggest ways to make life more enjoyable. It's like having Doraemon right there with you.

Okada: Major US banks use electronic employee badges called Sociometrics Badges. They record where employees were and who they spoke with, using this data to reform work practices. For example, analyzing the behavior of top-performing salespeople for employee training proved highly persuasive and boosted motivation. While I dislike the idea of everything being recorded, I felt it was outstanding in terms of efficiency.

 

How will AI transform content?

Kagaya: Finally, I'd like to discuss content. How do you think content and AI will evolve?

Tachibana: 8K resolution emerged from considering the ultimate display for humans. It represents the resolution level where you can no longer distinguish whether what you see before you is an image or reality. But technology surely won't stop at 8K. When even higher resolutions become achievable, what will we content creators produce? I believe we're entering an era where we must contemplate this.

I read a really great interview with a camera manufacturer's engineer discussing "what future cameras should aim for." A visually impaired acquaintance of mine has been continuously documenting his daughter's growth with a digital camera. When asked, "What will you do with the data?" he replied, "Eventually, camera technology will merge with cyborg technology, and I should be able to see again. I'm looking forward to seeing my daughter's growth records then." It made me realize that when technology surpasses humans, it can also shape human happiness.

Ogawa: Current game virtual reality doesn't have high enough resolution to truly replicate the real world, but with 8K, a new world surpassing reality will emerge. The Synesthesia Suit developed by game creator Tetsuya Mizuguchi and others for VR games is a suit covered in vibration elements. When worn with a head-mounted display, it apparently creates an experience where you truly feel like you're inside the game world. As such things become reality, games will cease to be just games, and television will cease to be just television. I believe we must think about how to use such technology for good.

Sawamoto: Listening to today's talk, I felt the incredible skill of TV production staff. I realized that to keep pace with rapidly changing media, we must engage effectively with new technologies or risk being left behind. I'm grateful you created this program.

Kagaya: I really want to see the second installment of "NEXT WORLD." I sincerely hope the three of you will work hard to create the sequel. Thank you very much for today.