Chikai is a Japanese-American artist and filmmaker whose work explores the human condition through what he calls “cinematic AI”—crafting deeply layered narratives with generative AI models and workflows. Blending surreal juxtapositions with expansive notions of time, his art probes the boundaries between technology and emotion. His piece Anomalia was a finalist for the 2025 Still Image Lumen Prize, recognized for its innovative use of AI in visual storytelling.
Chikai’s work has been exhibited internationally in Norway, London, Rome, Dubai, and New York City. His short film Saving Nine opened the inaugural Napa Valley Asian American Film Festival. Beyond his cinematic and AI creations, he is the creator of the generative art project Circle of Frens and the founder of MONOLITH Gallery, a digital space that houses his personal art collection and curatorial projects.
A pioneer at the intersection of art and technology, Chikai is also the co-creator of Google Earth and holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering—bridging scientific precision with creative exploration to push the limits of digital art.
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Photograph by Rainer Hosch
AI art is a developing medium but in recent years it has made major leaps in technology. I’ve written an essay to provide more context to my work in relation to AI video, but more specifically a sub-genre I’m calling “Cinematic AI”.