Lucas Kuzma works at the intersection of machine learning research and production engineering. His practice spans applied ML — diffusion models, computer vision, generative systems — and independent research in computational aesthetics and synthetic morphogenesis. He holds an MFA in Design | Media Art from UCLA, an MS in Audiovisual Media Technologies from Universitat Pompeu Fabra, a BS in Computer Science (AI minor) and a BA in Philosophy from Case Western Reserve University.

Most recently Lucas led applied ML research and engineering at Graswald, directing experimentation across diffusion models, LoRA fine-tuning, and conditioning strategies for generative imaging. Previously he bridged computer vision research and production engineering at Fantasmo, and served as Director of Engineering at TIER Mobility. As founder of The Strange Agency he built applications for Disney, Adobe, eBay, IBM, and Yamaha, and created a series of audio synthesis apps with over a million downloads.

His independent research investigates human-machine co-creativity through generative systems that produce forms neither human design nor machine training could achieve alone. Combining procedural algorithms with fine-tuned diffusion models, the work explores emergent morphologies at the boundary between algorithmic logic and biological form. Recent work has been presented at the NeurIPS Creativity Workshop and Duke University’s Center for Documentary Studies, and exhibited at FILE Festival São Paulo, Rhizome, and DOCK 11 Berlin.

Lucas has taught at the University of Southern California, the School of International Art in Beijing, and UCLA, designing courses in generative design, game programming, and creative computing.

He publishes through Terminal Archive, releases generative work as Verdant Systems, and produces electronic music as Claus Muzak.