AI Misbehaving: G-SHOCK Unveils an MT-G Developed by Human Designers and Generative AI

Will July 2nd, 2025 – the day Casio unveiled the new MTGB4000 series, the first G-SHOCK timepiece developed through a design process combining human ingenuity with generative AI technology – be a date that lives on in infamy?

What makes this newest addition to G-SHOCK’s premium MT-G lineup so newsworthy is that it denotes a new era of innovation in mass-produced watchmaking. After all, we’re pretty sure someone out there has already entered a bunch of prompts into ChatGPT and come up with a hideous timepiece. But this is not that.

This time, Casio, a well-respected brand, has created a timepiece by fusing advanced computational design with a team of designers who are well-versed in G-SHOCK’s shock-resistant engineering.

Should we be scared? Or, should we embrace artificial intelligence in watchmaking? Let’s look at the pros and cons.

The positive side of using AI as a watchmaking tool is that it can look at design dilemmas from hundreds of different angles in a very short period.

In the case of the two new MTGs – the MTGB40001A and the MTGB4000B1A2 – the G-SHOCK team began the design with human intelligence, starting with sketches from in-house designers, then running those plans and schematics through a newly developed AI program.

The goal of using this hybrid human-robot process was to create a better framework for enhancing structural performance while preserving the bold aesthetics of the MT-G line.
 

So, was this experiment a success? On the aesthetic front, we would have to say yes, because these new MT-Gs retain the recognizable beauty of a standard G-SHOCK, but somehow with an elevated visual appeal.

Utilizing the MT-G line’s signature construction, these new models feature an enhanced Dual Core Guard structure with integrated band connection components. Moreover, this new model’s mix of metal and resin allows the case and bracelet to absorb external shocks even better than before while also reducing physical impacts on the inner case. Unsurprisingly, this innovation boosts the MTGB4000’s shock resistance.

This frame is created from laminated carbon and glass fiber sheets. This visible layering shows up best along the sides, lending extra dimensionality. It looks and feels more flexible than previous models. It is, however, a big boy measuring 45.3mm wide, 14.4mm thick, and 56.6mm lug-to-lug.
 

Despite its imposing wrist presence, the MTGB4000 is a very refined behemoth. In contrast to the textured surface of the laminated material, the top of the bezel is adorned with precision finishes. One of them is Sallaz polishing, a high-end technique that produces a smooth, distortion-free mirror surface.

Despite its machine co-parent, the MTGB4000’s contrasting hairline and mirror finish suggest artisanal craftsmanship. Even then, the recently developed blue-gray IP coating on the MTGB4000B1A2 is a thoughtful detail. And machines can’t have thoughts, can they?

AI might not be able to ponder existential questions such as, “Will robots destroy us all?” But by repeating processes repeatedly, it can learn. That is how Casio’s AI analysis synthesized decades of shock-resistance data. It was also used to simulate impacts from every possible angle and to generate 3D models for specified structural strength and material property requirements.

We’ve all probably gone back and forth on the pros and cons of artificial intelligence. At its best, watchmakers could use it to save time and eliminate biases in problem-solving.
 

After all, who hasn’t dreamed of a technology that could transpose one’s thoughts straight to the page without the drudgery of typing? However, based on the semi-coherent emails my neighbor sends out about our other neighbors, predictive text is no good unless someone proofreads it.

That said, other things give us pause about artificial intelligence. It is, apparently, not great for the environment (data centers that house AI servers use massive amounts of electricity, water, and rare earth minerals). Moreover, AI engines are often used to put writers and artists out of work. Fortunately, G-SHOCK appears to be committed to utilizing AI in tandem with and as a tool for human creative teams.

The MTGB4000 employs futuristic metal injection molding (MIM) in its manufacturing process. This technique allows for intricate shaping but also a highly durable, scratch-resistant form.

Meanwhile, extra clarity comes from the anti-reflective sapphire crystal and its anti-reflective coating. This allows a clean view of the multi-dimensional dial (which is produced through precision processing at Yamagata Casio).
 

Finally, the MT-G line is always packed with plenty of premium specs, including MULTIBAND6 radio-controlled time adjustment, Bluetooth phone connectivity, the Triple G Resist Structure shock and centrifugal gravity resistance, 200 M water resistance, Solar power, automatic hand home position correction,27 city world, a stopwatch, a countdown timer, an alarm and Casio’s Super Illuminator LED light. The new MTGB4000 watches are no exception.

There are two versions of the G-SHOCK MTGB4000. The MTGB4000B1A2 features a blue IP finish and is priced at $1,350. The bare metal MTGB4000B1A comes in at $1,250.
 

Both are available for purchase now via the brand’s website, select retailers, and the G-SHOCK Soho store. For more information, visit G-SHOCK’s website.