Animators assert that securing an Oscar won’t be achieved through the use of AI technologies.
An Oscar (the Academy Award) statue. Image credit: Mirko Fabian via Unsplash, free license
In a BBC interview, comic book writer David Crownson expressed his view about artificial intelligence (AI) potentially displacing numerous individuals within his industry.
Crownson emphasizes that as studios and prominent publishers seek cost-cutting measures, AI technology is likely to be employed, leading to job losses. The escalating prominence of AI in the past year has also fueled concerns among comic book and animation writers and illustrators regarding its potential repercussions.
Given that AI can swiftly generate digital images reminiscent of graphic novel aesthetics, concerns heightened among those in the industry. Furthermore, AI’s ability to craft narratives adds an additional layer of worry for writers and creators.
With a modest yet rapidly expanding number of commercially released AI-generated comics and animated TV programs, the industry stands on the verge of transformation. The stakes are high, considering the estimated annual worth of the global comic book market at $15.5 billion (£12.2 billion) and the animated industry dwarfing it by 25 times at $411 billion.
David Crownson says he now faces the challenge of competing with AI users capable of generating content at a faster pace.
Crownson raises concerns about the potential impact of AI on employment in the industry, citing an example from the clothing sector where Levi acknowledged using AI to artificially create images of black models. He expresses fear that this trend may lead to significant unemployment among comic book writers from ethnic minority backgrounds, deeming AI as a threat to the job prospects of black artists.
Other industry experts contend that artificial intelligence (AI) can never replicate the storytelling quality achieved by humans. On the other hand, it should be acknowledged that AI has the potential to bring about unforeseen changes in the industry, and therefore the emergence of legislation that safeguards human creators as AI technology is necessary.
While there is currently little certainty in this domain, California Governor Gavin Newsom is actively investigating the issue. US authorities determined last year that images in an AI-generated comic book could not be subjected to copyright protection.
While established figures in the comic book and animation industries understandably express concerns about AI, there has been a notable surge in the development of AI-powered apps for comic book and animation creation, targeting the average user at home.
In the animation realm, apps like Animaker AI, Blender, Cascader, and Deepmotion have emerged. Similarly, for comic book creation, there are apps such as Comics Maker, AI Comic Factory, and Neural Canvas. These apps make bold promises, claiming to enable users to craft “jaw-dropping comics” or produce “studio-quality animated videos instantly.”
Despite the increasing popularity of these applications, Jonathan Kendrick, the co-founder and chairman of the global streaming service Rokit Flix, asserts that AI has not reached a level where it poses a threat to professional comic book creators and animators.
According to Kendrick, AI lacks the capability to create images with the nuance of the human mind. He likens it to having a subpar writer assist – capable of outlining, but falling short when it comes to infusing emotional weight. Kendrick contends that AI cannot deliver the surprises and artistic portrayals desired in stories and art and AI isn’t going to get you an Oscar.
Written by Alius Noreika