5 Myths About AI and Animation
In my conversations with animation studios over the past few months, I’ve noticed the same misconceptions about AI coming up repeatedly. I want to address these head-on, because they might be preventing you from achieving significant efficiency gains in your production pipeline.
Myth 1: AI Can’t Produce Consistent Quality
Many studios tell me they’ve experimented with generative AI tools and were disappointed with the inconsistent results. “We did some tests for animation generation and the quality was all over the place!”
Here’s the thing: it is important to distinguish the generative AI “slot machines” from properly implemented AI-enabled tools that give you real creative control. Here's a great recent workflow example that demonstrates what can be done with the right implementation.
The key insight? Use AI tools that maintain creative control, and don't rely on prompt roulette.
Myth 2: AI Will Replace Human Creativity
This one understandably causes a lot of anxiety among artists. But the reality is quite different: AI is a powerful amplifier of human creativity, not a replacement.
Studios seeing the most success with AI understand that human expertise in screenwriting, directing, and art direction remains essential. Likewise crucial is the skill to finesse the animation performance. If you use smart workflows as mentioned above, a key component of the pipeline usually is the animator or other creative who comes in and takes over from the AI.
The AI handles the repetitive, time-consuming tasks, freeing artists to focus on the creative decisions that truly matter and help the story connect with the audience.
Myth 3: AI is Only for Large Studios
“We don’t have the resources to implement AI like the big studios do.”
I hear this from smaller studios all the time, and I get it. Keeping up with the rapid pace of AI development feels overwhelming when you’re already stretched thin. The good news? AI tools are increasingly accessible and scalable for studios of all sizes.
This is precisely why we’ve launched our new Animation AI Catalyst service specifically for smaller studios. We track the developments, test the tools, and help you identify exactly which solutions will deliver the best ROI for your specific workflow – without requiring a dedicated R&D team or massive investment. Take a look at the page or hit reply on this email to find out more!
Myth 4: AI Tools Are a Fad
"Remember 3D TVs? Or the metaverse hype? This could be just another tech bubble."
I understand that "wait and see" is a comfortable position—after all, nobody wants to invest significant resources in technology that might be obsolete next year.
But I think this perspective fundamentally misunderstands the trajectory of AI in creative industries. As Doug Shapiro insightfully points out in his recent analysis, when you map the possible scenarios across axes of audience acceptance and technological capabilities, the likelihood of AI becoming a permanent, transformative force in media production is extremely high.
Even if specific AI tools change (and they will), the underlying capabilities and workflows are establishing a new baseline for production efficiency.
The real question isn't whether AI tools will stick around—it's how quickly they'll evolve and which studios will harness their potential first. The early adopters are already gaining market advantages while others are still debating whether to dip their toes in the water.
Remember: you don't need to go all-in immediately. Start with small tests and practical applications that solve real production bottlenecks. The learnings will feed new ideas and everything above zero compounds.
Myth 5: Integrating AI is Too Disruptive
Many studios fear that adopting AI would entail throwing out their existing pipelines and starting from scratch. But nothing could be further from the optimal solution.
Hybrid pipelines are not the future – they’re here already. The most successful implementations are gradual, focusing on specific pain points in your existing workflow. You should only use an AI tool when it helps you, not just for the sake of it.
Start with small, low-stakes experiments. Identify where your current process has bottlenecks or redundancies, and target those areas first. The goal isn’t to revolutionize everything overnight but to steadily enhance efficiency while maintaining creative control.
Taking the First Step
The gap between studios fully embracing AI-enabled workflows and those still on the sidelines is widening. The former are producing more content, faster, and often at higher quality – not because the AI is doing the creative work, but because it’s handling the tedious parts.
What are your experiences about these (or any other) myths so far?
Have a great day!
- Nick
Nick Dorra
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