Amazon Pisses Off Animation Industry With AI Animation Fund

Earlier in May, Hollywood took significant steps in trying to bring generative AI into the animation industry. Both Netflix and Amazon announced different plans to use the controversial technology to create animated shows for their respective platforms, with the latter creating a fund to lend their AI tools to creators in the field. Along with the fund, Amazon announced a trio of Prime Video shows born from it. Reactions to the whole ordeal were negative, with much discussion concerning two series, Punky Duck from El Tigre creator Jorge R. Gutierrez, and Buzzfeed Studios’ Cupcake & Friends. In the latter’s case, Loryn Brantz—who originally created the Good Advice Cupcake that’ll headline the series—condemned Buzzfeed for “taking my character and giving it to an AI platform.” She alleged that when working at Buzzfeed, the company “repeatedly assured me in good faith” it wouldn’t use her character without any input. ‘The Good Advice Cupcake’ creator Loryn Brantz says she is “horrified and disgusted” after BuzzFeed allegedly gave her character to an AI platform without her involvement. She also called for a boycott of BuzzFeed and AI-produced animation. pic.twitter.com/DrAiAo49S5 But