Hideo Kojima Does Not Think AI Will Create Art in His Lifetime

Hideo Kojima has clarified his position on AI after recently appearing in an AI-generated promotional film for a Prada art installation.

Speaking to The Washington Post (via Kotaku), the creator of Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding said that he remains skeptical about the idea that AI will be capable of creating genuine art during his lifetime.

"Art is life," Kojima said. He added that AI may eventually be able to create art in 50 or 100 years, but concluded: "I am not interested in it."

That does not mean Kojima believes the technology has no place in the creative process. His position appears to be more nuanced: AI may be useful for handling repetitive or time-consuming work, but humans should remain responsible for the ideas and decisions that shape the final product.

Kojima Says AI Should Handle Creative Chores, Not Replace Artists

According to The Washington Post, Kojima believes AI works best as a “janitor for creative chores”, while humans still need to remain involved in the process of making art.

This is broadly consistent with comments he made in a 2025 interview with Wired Japan. At the time, Kojima described a future in which creators could work alongside AI, with the technology acting more like a supporting tool than a replacement for human creativity. He suggested it could improve efficiency by handling tedious tasks and reducing production costs.

The distinction matters, particularly as generative AI becomes an increasingly divisive subject across the games industry. Kojima does not appear to be rejecting the technology outright. Instead, he seems unconvinced by its ability to create meaningful art on its own.

The Comments Follow an AI-Generated Prada Promo

Kojima’s comments arrive shortly after an AI-generated promotional film featuring the developer and filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn attracted criticism online.

The six-minute sci-fi short depicts the pair travelling through space, crash-landing on an alien planet and eventually arriving at New York’s Hotel Chelsea. It was created to promote Satellites II, an installation presented as part of Prada Mode New York.

Refn confirmed that the promotional trailer was made using AI. However, The Washington Post reported that the exhibition itself is deliberately analogue, featuring cassette players, television sets and other forms of older technology rather than generative AI installations.

Satellites II is the fourteenth iteration of Prada Mode and was held at the Hotel Chelsea from June 3 to June 7, 2026. Prada describes the project as an exploration of love, language and creativity through the long-standing friendship between Kojima and Refn. It follows the original Satellites exhibition, which was held in Tokyo in 2025.

Kojima’s Position on AI Is More Complicated Than It First Appears

Kojima’s involvement in the Prada promo prompted some criticism because of the themes explored throughout his games, particularly their interest in technology, digital information and the ways systems can shape human behaviour.

However, his latest comments suggest that his position is not necessarily contradictory. Kojima appears open to practical uses of AI behind the scenes, provided the technology remains a tool rather than the creative force driving a project.

For now, he does not seem convinced that AI-generated images, videos or ideas should be treated as a substitute for human-made art. Whether that affects the development of future Kojima Productions games, including the upcoming stealth-action project Physint, remains to be seen.

FAQ

Is Hideo Kojima against AI?

Not entirely. Kojima has said AI could be useful for handling repetitive or time-consuming tasks, but he does not believe it should replace human creativity.

What did Hideo Kojima say about AI-generated art?

Kojima said that AI may eventually be able to create art, but he does not expect to see it happen during his lifetime and is not currently interested in the idea.

What was the AI-generated Prada promo featuring Hideo Kojima?

The promo was a sci-fi short film featuring AI-generated versions of Hideo Kojima and Nicolas Winding Refn. It was created to promote Satellites II, a Prada Mode exhibition held at New York’s Hotel Chelsea.

Written by

Share

Copied