Nao Tokui

Biography

Nao Tokui

Artist / Researcher
Founder & CEO, Qosmo Inc. / Founder & CEO, Neutone Inc.
Visiting Professor at Shiga University

Nao Tokui is an artist/DJ and researcher based in Tokyo. While pursuing his Ph.D. at The University of Tokyo, he produced music using AI, including his debut album and a collaboration with Nujabes, the late legendary Japanese hip-hop producer. His work was released by various labels in Japan and Europe. After completing his Ph.D. research, he founded Qosmo, AI Creativity and Music Lab, in 2009. Since then, he has been actively working at the intersection of AI technology and art. Nao and his team's works have been exhibited at renowned venues such as the New York MoMA and the Barbican Centre in London. Their performances have also been showcased at various music festivals, including MUTEK and Sonar. Additionally, he is leading the development of AI-based music instruments at his newly founded company, Neutone. In 2021, Nao received the Okawa Publishing Award for his Japanese book on art, creativity, and AI. The book was translated and published in English as "Surfing human creativity with AI — A user's guide" in 2023.