November 12, 2021
The book "AI for Creation: The Never-Ending Story of Machines and Creativity" by Associate Professor Nao Tokui of the Graduate School of Media and Governance has received the Okawa Publications Prize. This award is presented by The Okawa Foundation for Information and Telecommunications (The Okawa Foundation) to honor outstanding books in the field of information and telecommunications.
The Okawa Foundation aims to promote and develop the information and telecommunications field and advance international academic and cultural exchange through awards, research grants, and other activities. Its activities include awards, research grants, symposiums, and lectures.
For the 2021 Okawa Publications Prize, two books published on or after January 1, 2018, were awarded.
The book received the award in recognition of its highly ambitious attempt to reveal a vision for the future of AI-driven creativity. It is based on numerous practical examples and works, reflecting Associate Professor Tokui's dual role as an AI researcher and an artist who is extensively involved in creative activities using AI.
Comment from the Award Recipient, Associate Professor Nao Tokui, Graduate School of Media and Governance
I am truly surprised and deeply honored to receive such a wonderful award.
I have long considered myself to be outside the mainstream of computer science, so being recognized by that very mainstream has become a great encouragement for my future activities.
This book is both a reflection of my activities since my student days and is based on perspectives gained from projects in my research group after my appointment at SFC, as well as discussions with other faculty members (especially the members of XD). I heard that the award's review committee praised the book for its novel perspective. I feel that I was able to write it precisely because I was outside the "mainstream," making it a very SFC-like book.
I would like to express my gratitude to the students in my research group and the faculty members. Thank you very much.