CREATIVE KIDS TOP Blab B Lab Newsletter, Vol. 52

Blab

2026.09.15
B Lab Newsletter, Vol. 52

EMAIL NEWSLETTER Vol. 52 (September 2026 Issue)

◆ Featured Project:

iU × Yamaha Joint Course: Music Production Course Using vocaloid—Practical Edition Now Open!
Following the “Vocaloid Music Culture and Production Course—Basic Edition,” which began in May 2026, we are now launching the Practical Edition.This four-day course (November 15, December 5, December 12, and December 19, from 1:00 PM each day) provides a systematic overview of the music production process within the vocaloid culture and music scene. The content is designed to be accessible even to those who did not take the first part of the course. We look forward to your participation.
◆ What’s New! for Each Project:

Social Creation: Children’s Workshop Held!
On August 20 and 21, we held our second workshop at THIRD PLACE in Kaiyo Town, Tokushima Prefecture.This time, about 10 fourth and fifth graders participated. Using generative AI and taking their personal “favorites” as themes, they created original magazines using Canva. We also set aside time for the groups to share their finished works with one another and exchange feedback.

CHO KOUKA Wins Award from the Music Information Science Society
This project, conducted in collaboration with Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture, involved co-creating a school song for a newly established school using AI. The Music Information Intelligence Team at the RIKEN Institute, which led the AI-assisted composition, received the “Best Presentation Award” at the 147th Music Information Science Study Group meeting of the Information Processing Society of Japan.The award-winning presentation was titled “Student-Participatory School Anthem Production Using AI Composition Support.”

Hosting the Stanford-Style Generative AI Bootcamp
We will hold the “Stanford-Style Generative AI Bootcamp 2026 Winter: Training Course for Leaders of a New Revolution” on Wednesday, December 2, and Thursday, December 3.Jeremy Utley, who has researched and implemented generative AI at Stanford University’s d.school, will visit Japan to provide direct instruction to participants. For details, click here.

Planning and Running the “Monozukuri Fair 2026”!
iU students planned and organized the “Monozukuri Fair 2026” event in collaboration with companies and community members in Sumida Ward. They took on challenges such as venue decoration, social media management, and a digital stamp rally! They worked to bring their ideas to life while building connections with the local community.
◆ Announcements
from Participating Organizations and Researchers
● Physical AI Hackathon Held in Osaka!
(RobotMateHub)
We will hold a Physical AI Hackathon in Suita City, Osaka Prefecture, on November 14–15, 2026, where participants will operate Unitree’s humanoid robots in real-world settings to tackle on-site challenges in manufacturing, material handling, and other fields over two days. Participation is free.
⇒ Click
here for details
◆ Handling of Personal Information
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September 2026, Vol. 52
Publisher: Nanako Ishido
Editor: Chika Masuda
Address: 1-18-13 Bunka, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
         info@blaboratory.org

　

Profile


  • Digital Picture Book Author

    Professor, Keio University; Ph.D. (Policy and Media)
    Director, B Lab
    Chairperson, Learning of Tomorrow (General Incorporated Association)
    Chairperson, CANVAS

    After graduating from the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Tokyo, he served as a visiting researcher at the MIT Media Lab before founding the NPO CANVAS and the Learning of Tomorrow Association, a General Incorporated Association, and assuming the role of representative. He serves as an outside director for Matsuya Co., Ltd., Fuji Media Holdings, Inc., and Digital Garage, Inc.
    He has served on various government committees, including the Information and Communications Council of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, as well as the NHK Central Broadcasting Program Council. He also serves as a director of the Digital Signage Consortium, among other roles. He holds a Ph.D. in Policy and Media.
    His publications include *Turning On Children’s Creativity!*, *What Are Smart Kids Doing on Their Smartphones?*, *The Forefront of Online Education in Japan: Considering Learning in the Post-COVID Era*,“What Is Programming Education? 45 Questions Parents Want to Know,” and “Declaration on Digital Education.” He has also provided supervision for numerous works, including “Ah, I See! Programming Education for Parents and Children Through Manga.”