Not all has been good with the rise of AI. While it is true that it could change humanity in a positive sense if used correctly, there are also dangers that, unfortunately, are not being addressed as they should be. This is the case of jobs that are at risk, as it is clear that artificial intelligence, if it continues to advance, could have the capacity to eliminate a significant number of jobs. Proof of this are the recent statements made by Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO of DreamWorks.
Before continuing, it is important to remember that DreamWorks, owned by Universal Pictures, is one of the largest and most important animation studios in the world. They are responsible for hugely successful franchises such as Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, Puss in Boots and How to Train Your Dragon, to name just a few.
Animation is a discipline that involves the participation of people with varied expertise. For example, experts in visual arts, physics, motion graphics or rotoscoping. So, when we talk about integrating artificial intelligence into animation, there is no doubt that thousands of jobs could disappear sooner rather than later.
At a time when production houses are doing everything they can to cut costs and maximize revenues, it should come as no surprise that they are studying how to make artificial intelligence benefit them financially. In fact, they no longer even hide their interest in it.
During an interview with Bloomberg TV, Katzenberg acknowledged that artificial intelligence could lead to the disappearance of 90% of animation-related jobs. The percentage, of course, is abysmal. We’re talking about the vast majority of animation workers would be replaced by AI.
“I don’t know of any other industry that will be hit harder,” Katzenberg said of the impact of artificial intelligence on animation jobs.”
The executive added that while artificial intelligence is changing various sectors within the film world, none will do so as much or as fast as animation.
“If you look at how media has been affected in the last 10 years by the introduction of digital technology, what will happen in the next decade will be tenfold, literally. I think artificial intelligence, as a creative tool, has a lot of opportunity around it.”
Artificial intelligence can cut costs and time in animation
The DreamWorks CEO mentions that, today, it takes approximately 500 artists to finish a single animated film within 5 years. However, artificial intelligence will not only reduce the number of jobs needed by 90%, but can also be completed in a fraction of the time.
Despite the very negative outlook surrounding the future of animation, Katzenberg says that certain positions will still be needed. For example, those that rely entirely on individual creativity. After all, artificial intelligence still relies on sources of learning from work that has already been done. In other words, it is not yet capable of thinking on its own to come up with something completely unique.
Undoubtedly, this is a topic that will cause a lot of conversation in the coming years. Even more so because we have just witnessed two unprecedented strikes in Hollywood, that of screenwriters and that of actors, both of which have already ended. In both cases, their unions were demanding better working conditions, including protections to ensure that they would not lose their jobs to artificial intelligence.
The problem is that animation employees do not have such a robust and committed union organization. The situation, therefore, will have to change if they intend to defend themselves against artificial intelligence. At least DreamWorks has already hinted at what its immediate plans are, and they are surely not dissimilar to those of other studios?