Hideo Kojima has drawn one of his clearest lines yet on generative AI: useful for workflow, but not a substitute for human creativity. In a conversation with The Washington Post, he said AI can speed up production tasks, yet it still falls short of creating true art.
The remarks matter because Kojima had sounded somewhat more open to AI before. His latest comments remove much of that ambiguity and make his position easier to read.
AI can help with chores, not with vision
Kojima sees AI as a practical tool for repetitive work inside creative production. The Washington Post described that view as AI acting like a “janitor for creative chores,” while the human creator remains in the room where the art is actually made.
That framing places AI in a supporting role rather than a creative one. For Kojima, the important elements still come from human judgment, taste, and intuition.
A sharper response after criticism of an AI promo
His comments came after he appeared at a Prada art event at Chelsea Hotel in New York. That followed a short promotional film that drew criticism for its AI-driven marketing approach.
The video showed a digital version of Kojima alongside director Nicolas Winding Refn in a space adventure. Many gamers and Kojima fans dismissed the material as “AI slop.”
That reaction appears to have sharpened Kojima’s public stance. He is not rejecting the technology entirely, but he is rejecting the idea that it is ready to take over the territory of art.
True art remains a human question
Kojima said art is alive, but he does not believe AI will create true art within his lifetime. He added that AI may be able to make art in 50 or 100 years, though he does not expect to see that himself.
He also said he is not interested in that possibility right now. In his view, the human role in the creative process still sits at the center.
Where Kojima still sees a use for AI
Even so, Kojima has not closed the door on AI for technical functions. In earlier comments, he said he was more interested in using AI for control systems than for generating visuals.
That distinction shows how he separates utility from authorship. AI may assist with specific jobs, but it does not define the artistic vision.
What it could mean for his next projects
This more measured stance makes it less likely that Kojima will rely on generative AI art in his upcoming projects. The next titles on his slate include the Xbox-exclusive horror game OD and Physint for PlayStation.
Physint is not expected to arrive until 2030. Based on Kojima’s current position, the art and design in those projects are still likely to depend on people rather than machines.
The shift from a more ambiguous attitude to a firmer boundary offers a clear picture of where Kojima stands. He is willing to use AI for efficiency, but he is drawing a firm line when the conversation turns to art itself.
