Yuki KOYAMA
Associate Professor Department of Precision Engineering｜Graphics & Interaction Lab
Biography
About My Research
My research focuses on enabling new forms of design through mathematical techniques that allow people and computers to work together. My work lies at the intersection of Computer Graphics (CG), Human–Computer Interaction (HCI), and machine learning, with a particular focus on Computational Design and Human-in-the-Loop Optimization.
For example, when we want to make a chair more comfortable, create animation characters more efficiently, or design new structures using 3D printers, human intuition and aesthetics play an essential role. Computers, on the other hand, excel at rapidly exploring and generating a vast number of possibilities. I study methods and systems that combine the strengths of both humans and AI to support collaborative design and creative activities. For example, when a user wants to improve the color tone of a photograph, we developed a system that efficiently assists the editing process by repeatedly presenting suitable candidates while learning the user's preferences over time.
Recent advances in generative AI are dramatically changing the relationship between humans and computers.
I believe that AI should not replace people, but rather augment human creativity and help us discover ideas that would otherwise remain unseen. To this end, I investigate mathematical techniques that enable computers to learn human preferences and provide better suggestions.
My research aims to contribute to a wide range of applications, including animation production support and digital fabrication. Ultimately, I hope to help create a future in which humans and AI can collaborate naturally to generate new forms of value.
[Fast Forward] Sequential Gallery for Interactive Visual Design Optimization (SIGGRAPH 2020)
Future Aspirations
Although AI technologies are advancing at a remarkable pace, I believe that the importance of human creativity will continue to grow. Through the development of technologies that enable better interactions between humans and AI, I hope to help create a society in which people can discover new and interesting ideas by thinking together with AI.
To achieve this vision, I aim to establish theories and systems that allow humans and AI to collaborate effectively by leveraging their respective strengths. I also hope to translate the outcomes of my research into practical applications that can benefit society.
Beyond the Lab
I started playing big band jazz when I entered university and continue to perform to this day. Recently, I had the opportunity to perform at Yasuda Auditorium, one of the iconic landmarks of the University of Tokyo.
Yuki Koyama: https://koyama.xyz/
Graphics & Interaction Lab: https://lab.koyama.xyz/en/
*Affiliations and titles are as of the time of the interview.
Young Researcher: Assistant Professor Long Yin
Young Researcher: Associate Professor Yuki Yamada
