Former Hollywood executive Jeffrey Katzenberg predicts that artificial intelligence (AI) will drastically reduce animation jobs by 90 percent within three years. This projection, made during a Bloomberg New Economy Forum panel discussion, suggests a significant transformation in the animation industry, impacting media, entertainment, and creation. Katzenberg emphasizes that the adoption of AI will expedite the digital revolution in entertainment, making the production of world-class animated movies more efficient.
In the context of the animation industry, Katzenberg’s remarks highlight the potential for AI to streamline processes that traditionally required extensive manual labor. The cost of animated movies is currently influenced by the labor-intensive nature of animation production, involving a large team of animators working over several years. The implementation of AI could lead to substantial cost reductions, making animated filmmaking more accessible.
The commentary also touches on the political dynamics within the entertainment industry, suggesting that a significant reduction in animators might diminish the influence of woke ideologies. This perspective implies that a smaller workforce may result in less pressure from employees pushing for divisive political stances and woke agendas in movies and TV shows. The claim is that executives might face less bullying from woke employees, potentially allowing for a more neutral or traditional approach to content creation.
The potential displacement of animators due to AI raises questions about the broader impact on employment and job loss. The narrative speculates on the irony of individuals within the animation industry facing job losses to AI after years of automation adversely affecting working-class jobs without similar expressions of concern. The argument concludes by suggesting that if AI leads to improved end products, characterized by less politicization and sexualization, the loss of jobs in the animation sector may not be perceived as entirely negative. The narrative underscores the animators’ advantage in possessing coding skills, implying that they may have opportunities in adapting to the changing landscape.