Disc jockey Masatane Muto has forged a groundbreaking relationship with artificial intelligence, using it to amplify his performances despite living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). At the Japan Mobility Show 2025 in October, Muto, 39, captivated audiences as he DJed alongside dancing robots, showcasing a unique approach to music that aligns with his personal journey.
“AI significantly expands my physical ability,” Muto remarked offstage, radiating satisfaction after his set. The progressive nature of ALS has stripped him of his ability to speak, yet Muto communicates via eye movements, inputting text for an AI-synthesized voice to relay. He retains movement in his neck and fingertips, allowing him to engage deeply with his craft.
Central to Muto’s performance is an AI-driven system tailored to read his brain waves through electrodes attached to his scalp. This advanced technology decodes his intent based on fluctuations in brain activity, particularly when he mentally attempts to move his arms. Eight electrodes strategically placed on his head capture signals from across his brain, enabling a direct connection between his thoughts and robotic movements. For instance, an intention to move his right hand activates the left side of his brain, triggering a response in the right robotic arm.
Technical support comes from Mikito Ogino, a researcher at the University of Tokyo, who has dedicated significant time to refining the AI model. “Training the AI model on Muto’s brain waves for more than 100 hours has rendered it possible for the system to understand his intention of waving with an accuracy exceeding 90 percent,” Ogino explained, highlighting the extensive work behind this innovative collaboration.
Diagnosed with ALS in 2014 while still in his late 20s, Muto faced an arduous journey. Initially a sales representative at the advertising giant Hakuhodo Inc., he encountered unexplained symptoms that led him to seek answers. The diagnosis struck him as “the most discouraging moment of my life.” Yet, Muto quickly redirected his focus, realizing the value of time and resolving to make each moment count.
In the years following his diagnosis, Muto established the group With ALS to assist others facing similar struggles. In 2018, he partnered with Ogino to explore brain wave analysis using AI, a project that has evolved alongside Muto’s own health challenges. As his physical mobility has declined, AI technology has emerged as a vital ally, contributing to his ongoing passion for music and performance.
Following the loss of his voice in 2020 due to airway surgery, Muto’s journey took another significant turn. Using a compilation of recordings featuring his own voice and an AI-powered device that tracks eye movements, he has been able to digitally reproduce his voice, reconnecting him to the art he loves.
Recently, Muto celebrated the birth of his first daughter in 2023, a milestone made special as he can now communicate with her through a toy operated by the robotic arms, facilitated by the brain wave detection technology. With each step forward, he hopes his experiences and innovations will pave the way for improved lives for others grappling with similar circumstances.
“I do not mind being a guinea pig,” Muto stated, expressing his willingness to contribute to research that could enable advancements in AI technology for those with disabilities. He envisions that the knowledge gained from his journey could serve as a breakthrough for future innovations.
Looking ahead, Muto is eager to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the music festival he founded after his diagnosis. Despite the challenges he has faced, his enthusiasm for music and his commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology remain unwavering, embodying a story of resilience and innovation in the face of adversity.
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