What precisely is that this interactive encounter that may solely be skilled contained in the pavilion? What does it imply to satisfy a future model of your self? And what imaginative and prescient of the longer term does the pavilion convey? We spoke with media artist Yoichi Ochiai, who produced the pavilion, to seek out out.
(Interview by Toshi Maeda, Govt Editor of JStories)
Pavilion Producer, Media Artist
What makes the “null²” pavilion distinctive? A brand new expertise crafted with two mirrors
JStories Govt Editor Toshi Maeda (hereafter, JStories): Mr. Ochiai, you might be producing null² , one of many Signature Pavilions at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, which opened this April. First, for guests who’re contemplating going, are you able to inform us what the primary characteristic of the pavilion is?
Yoichi Ochiai (hereafter, Ochiai): The idea started with the thought of constructing a “mirror pavilion,” so its exterior is solely made from mirrors. However not simply any mirrors: these are uniquely deformed, reflective surfaces you’ve seemingly by no means seen earlier than. Inside, it’s a mirrored room that hosts interactive experiences with a digital human. It’s a pavilion the place guests have interaction in dialogue with a digital illustration of the human physique.
JStories: What’s the core idea behind the pavilion?
Ochiai: The idea facilities on two sorts of mirrors. The outside is a big, deforming mirror, whereas the inside encompasses a digitally infinite, reflective mirror. I believe it’s a really Expo-like constructing. What’s thrilling about world expos is that they permit the creation of short-term buildings. It’s one thing nearer to an artwork museum that allows expressions not doable elsewhere. We’ve used supplies that aren’t usually allowed in buildings, and we’ve integrated visible and digital performances that may solely be seen right here. It’s a visually compelling expertise.
“Mirrored Physique” digital human: An exhibit that reexamines humanity’s challenges
JStories: The pavilion encompasses a digital human named “Mirrored Physique” that acts as a sort of digital reflection of your self. How does that examine with related initiatives abroad? Are there comparable examples overseas?
Ochiai: Since I turned the producer for the Expo and began shaping the idea in 2021, we’ve ready the digital human Mirrored Physique. Even again then, we predicted that by 2025, massive language fashions (LLMs) and generative AI would have superior considerably, and that look scanning could be possible. We envisioned a future the place people may possess their very own information and AI-based “digital mirror,” enabling individuals to speak to a second model of themselves primarily based on their private info. Know-how has progressed simply as we imagined, and now in 2025, that imaginative and prescient has change into a actuality.
JStories: I see. You had been already envisioning this future practically 5 years in the past!
Ochiai: The idea was not solely to showcase this on the grand stage of a World Expo that draws individuals from across the globe, but in addition to create an exhibit that additionally critically engages with the key points humanity faces as we speak.
A smartphone-powered digital human
JStories: With AI evolving, the thought of a digital double is beginning to really feel far more actual.
A glimpse of the longer term with “Mirrored Physique”: Interacting together with your digital twin
JStories: For individuals who plan to go to the Expo, how can they create their very own Mirrored Physique and expertise it at your pavilion?
Ochiai: When you reserve a spot on the pavilion, you’ll obtain an e mail with two app hyperlinks, one for scanning your look and one other for interplay. After downloading the apps, you possibly can scan your face and register your voice. Your Mirrored Physique will then be capable of converse in your voice. You’ll be able to even enter information, permitting your Mirrored Physique to carry conversations with you or with different individuals’s mirrored our bodies.
JStories: I see. So you possibly can create your Mirrored Physique earlier than arriving on the venue?
Ochiai: Sure, in case you full the setup beforehand, your Mirrored Physique can seem within the theater on the pavilion and be featured in varied performances. Past the Expo expertise, it additionally lets individuals think about a future the place, even after you’ve handed away, your Mirrored Physique, powered by your information and AI, will proceed to talk such as you. We wish guests to assume “Wow, so that is what the longer term may seem like!”
The “Mirrored Physique” expertise: An opportunity to replicate on the query, “Who am I?”
JStories: The demand to your pavilion appears extraordinarily excessive. It’s mentioned to be very talked-about.
Ochiai: Sure, fortunately it’s very talked-about. We’ve heard from many who reservations are onerous to come back by.
JStories: What sort of suggestions have you ever acquired from guests who’ve skilled the Mirrored Physique?
Ochiai: We’ve been lucky to obtain very optimistic suggestions. Having a digital model of your self seem on-screen and reply to you may make you ask: “What actually is the self?” The pavilion deliberately strips away symbols and language to get on the essence. Once you see and listen to your AI-powered self on the opposite facet of a digital interface, you begin to marvel”Am I only a fragile bundle of symbols? Even when it looks as if I’m considering independently, may AI simply take my place?” These are the sorts of questions individuals stroll away with.
JStories: How do you work together with your individual Mirrored Physique?
Ochiai: Typically I discuss to it myself, or I watch it work together with pals. What’s attention-grabbing is that generally it repeats issues I’ve mentioned earlier than, and different instances it generates issues I’ve by no means mentioned, however nonetheless appears like me. From the listener’s perspective, there’s no technique to inform which is which. That’s the longer term I see, the place it received’t actually matter whether or not an announcement comes instantly from the particular person or their Mirrored Physique, and each will likely be accepted as equally legitimate.
“Intelligence” is only a small bonus of being human
JStories: Do you assume we’re on the verge of an period the place everybody could have a digital human?
Ochiai: Technically, we’ve already reached that time.
JStories: Your pavilion definitely makes that clear. In a world the place the road between human and digital doubles is fading, you additionally elevate philosophical questions. The title null² means “zero” or “nothing,” and it appears to ask whether or not people can reside with out doing something in a world the place AI handles the whole lot. What’s your imaginative and prescient for humanity in a world outlined by “nothingness”? What do you assume stays for us, or what ought to we give attention to?
Ochiai: There’s an idea known as “Moravec’s Paradox,” which says that what’s straightforward for people is tough for machines, and vice versa. For instance, reasoning, reminiscence, and language are onerous for people however more and more straightforward for computer systems. In the meantime, issues like consuming, exercising, and sweating are second nature to people however extremely tough for AI. I’ve by no means seen a sweating AI or a pc that eats.
JStories: That’s very true. Paradoxically, these sorts of issues are literally tough for AI to do.
Ochiai: Even when AI can’t do them now, I believe it will definitely will — however most likely not simply. Issues we take with no consideration are sometimes essentially the most difficult for AI. So I consider that what is going to outline us as people is doing what AI can’t. Intelligence is only a small bonus of being human — that is without doubt one of the messages of the pavilion.
What’s the “Self”? Exploring what comes after the fashionable idea of humanity
JStories: That is sensible. Once you put it that method, intelligence alone doesn’t totally seize what it means to be human.
Ochiai: People have solely been “considering” for the final 20,000 or 30,000 years. Actions like creating, reasoning, and doing math or science are comparatively new. Writing historical past with language began simply over 10,000 years in the past. That’s a tiny slice of time within the 2.5 million years since people emerged from the forest, and a good smaller blip within the timeline of life itself. So maybe the reasoning and computation abilities that AI excels at had been by no means that essential to being human to start with. That’s one of many questions I need individuals to contemplate.
JStories: That’s an eye-opening thought, that the areas AI excels in won’t be so important to humanity.
Ochiai: Proper. For instance, with monetary planning, in case your private information is registered, AI may simply deal with it. The identical goes for reserving a restaurant tonight, renewing your driver’s license — AI may do all of that for you. In case your genetic tendencies are recognized, even preventive care could possibly be left to AI. So then what occurs to the idea of the “self”? From the attitude of contemporary Western science, the reply is basically “nothing.” There’s virtually nothing left that it’s a must to do by yourself.
However in actuality, life goes on. We eat meals, we chat with pals. Whether or not or not one thing tangible comes from these moments doesn’t matter. We cease needing to guage life by what’s or isn’t produced. I need guests to the pavilion to expertise that second, the following step past the fashionable human excellent.
As AI takes the lead in science and expertise, how can Japan keep aggressive?
JStories: It is true that we are able to’t know precisely what is going to come out of this, however there’s a line of considering that digital people like these may function a catalyst for selling Japan’s digital transformation, revitalization, and even future financial progress. What are your ideas on that perspective?
Ochiai: In my thoughts, I envision a future that’s solely totally different from the standard industrial mannequin. What I imply is that this: sooner or later, it received’t be people however AI that drives the development of science and expertise. I consider AI would be the one conducting experiments, writing analysis papers, coding packages, and utilizing reasoning. These will now not be duties for people.
And in terms of constructing AI fashions which can be aggressive on a world scale, AI itself will seemingly be creating them. Since each nation will likely be creating its personal AI, I believe Japan ought to give attention to exporting what makes it uniquely Japanese, like vehicles, semiconductor manufacturing tools, passive parts, and tradition. There are many nations higher suited to play the capital funding sport, the place you pour in capital and intention for monetary return. So I believe it’s nice to let these nations tackle that position.
A particular message for JStories readers
JStories: That’s a really encouraging perspective. Lastly, if there’s one message or concept you’d like guests to remove from experiencing your null² pavilion, what wouldn’t it be?
Ochiai: I’m Yoichi Ochiai, producer of one of many Signature Pavilions at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. We’re making a pavilion primarily based on the idea of the “twin nature of mirrors.” One side is a bodily mirror — a large, transformable sculpture that displays and reshapes the encircling panorama. Utilizing robotics and new supplies, it creates a dynamic surroundings that transforms the sky and surroundings itself. Contained in the pavilion, there’s a mirror room the place the presence of digital beings is seamlessly linked to the bodily area. This affords an expertise that brings collectively cutting-edge mirror expertise with excessive distinction and precision, one thing that may solely be totally appreciated in particular person. The sculpture itself is very versatile in kind and, ideally, a very magnificent piece of labor.
We invite you to come back, contact, and expertise it for your self at our pavilion.
Translated by Anita De Michele | JStories
Edited by Desiderio Luna, Moritz Brinkhoff, Randy Wagenheim | JStories
Prime picture: Courtesy of ©2024 Sustainable Pavilion 2025 Inc. All Rights Reserved
For inquiries relating to this text, please contact jstories@pacificbridge.jp
