This summer, a hands-on workshop where children can explore cutting-edge AI technology through play will be held in Fukuoka.
Participants will use generative AI to create one-of-a-kind original music. Led by Kotaro Sakamoto of the Matsuo-Iwasa Lab at the University of Tokyo, the workshop introduces “Vibe Coding”—a conversational approach to coding with AI. Children will interact with the AI using voice and text commands, working together with the technology as creative partners in music production.
No prior programming experience is necessary. The workshop is designed to explain how AI works in a fun and accessible way from a child’s perspective. Participants will leave with a completed project suitable for submission as a summer research assignment, gaining both knowledge and a sense of accomplishment.
The program encourages creativity and gives children a hands-on introduction to technology, helping them experience the joy of making something themselves. It’s a memorable and educational activity for the summer—and an exciting opportunity to take a small step into the future alongside a parent or guardian.
This is a pop-up event from the regularly held by Venture Cafe’s Thursday Gathering series.
Event Details
• Date: 8/7 (Wed.)
• Time: 13:00–15:30
(Workshop lasts approx. 30 minutes within a 90-minute time slot. Please arrive at the time specified on your ticket. You may be asked to wait.)
• Admission: Free (advance registration required)
• Eligibility: Elementary school students (upper grades recommended)
• Capacity: 2 participants per session (must be accompanied by a parent or guardian age 18 or older) *One ticket per participant required
• Format: Workshop
• Instructor: Kotaro Sakamoto (Project Researcher, Matsuo-Iwasa Lab, The University of Tokyo)
• Collaborator: Jota Tamaki (Founder & CEO, curioph)
• Venue: ONE FUKUOKA BLDG. SKYLOBBY 6F
• Address: 1-11-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
• Registration and full details: https://venturecafefukuoka20250807.peatix.com/view
Important Notes
• Please bring your own laptop
• Make sure your laptop allows installation of necessary applications
• Cancellations close to the event date are discouraged
Presenter Profiles
Instructor: Kotaro Sakamoto (Project Researcher – The University of Tokyo)
Holds a PhD from the University of Tsukuba, where he studied neuroscience and machine learning. Formerly a Specially Appointed Assistant Professor at the Institute of Statistical Mathematics’s Center for Statistical Machine Learning. Raised in New York and later in Hong Kong.
Collaborator: Jota Tamaki (Founder, CEO – curioph)
With over 15 years of experience in creative direction, service/UI/UX design, and advertising, Tamaki specializes in branding and behavioral design. Currently preparing the release of POLLS, a tool from curioph Inc. that enables honest feedback collection from 1 to 10,000 respondents in any language with minimal effort.
