AI impacts cartoonists, animators

CoComelon, the popular children’s TV cartoon, is one of many well-known animated networks currently using artificial intelligence to produce entertainment faster and at a lower cost. Widely recognized 2D Disney characters, who were previously drawn frame by frame, are now AI-rendered. This use of artificial intelligence has proven to be a beneficial way to animate cartoons and movies efficiently. It has allowed the animation industry to implement 2D and 3D animation styles with simple computer processing. It has completely transformed the industry, improving productions and opening doors for many new opportunities. But if a computer can animate a character within minutes, what does that mean for our talented cartoonists and animators?

As of 2024, it is predicted that AI will negatively affect more than 40 percent of all jobs worldwide and it is happening in the present. This highlights how devastating the impact could be on artists over the next few years. David Crownson, producer of the best-selling comic Harriet Tubman: Demon Slayer, fears that AI will put many people out of work in his industry. He has no doubt that big-name studios and animation industries will save money by implementing this new technology. With the ease of AI, a field that once required so much experience and skill can now be done with regular people and simple tools. 

But can AI truly replicate the originality and creativity of a real artist? Estela Reyes-Maldonado, a member of Clarksburg High School’s art club disagrees. 

“AI cannot duplicate any creativity at all because creativity comes from human beings,” Reyes-Maldonado said. “When people use AI, they just put in a prompt and it uses artwork online without permission to create generated images. There is no creativity because it’s just a computer stealing work from others and uses no actual thinking to create that work itself.” 

A recent study conducted by the New Yorker has proven that despite AI’s efficiency, ideas with originality themselves cannot be created without a real human being. This study reiterates what Estela suggested, as it proves that AI does in fact have a creative limit. 

Big animation industries are all hopping onto the bandwagon of AI to replace their animators’ jobs, not realizing some of the repercussions they may face. “Cutting animators not only hurts them, but the quality of their product. Some may enjoy an AI-generated piece, but in the end, AI is completely soulless,” Reyes-Maldonado said. “It may get good at replicating art, but there will always be a noticeable difference between creativity, thought, and feeling put into an actual human-made piece of art.” 

Animation isn’t just about drawing characters or environments, but conveying emotion and stories that resonate with humans. Replacing human animators doesn’t just affect the quality of the work, but it puts the entire industry at risk. This ultimately reduces job opportunities, stifles creativity, leading to content lacking character. Limiting that innovation and diversity is what will set us back from quality animation. 

It is crucial that we support and amplify the voices of our artists who create the shows we know and love. People can show support by spreading awareness of the increased use of AI and boycotting shows that have been cutting their animators and cartoonists. The richness of animation comes from artists with experience and perspective, and taking that away will lose the essence of what makes the animator’s work unique and memorable. People will always value human creativity, and appreciate their favorite shows and films. If our media loses its “soul” and originality, the audience may begin to view animation as another product rather than expressive art. 

Written by Ayza Siddiqi

Graphic from Creative Commons