In Short:
During last year’s WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, animators showed strong opposition to AI, expressing anger and anxiety about its impact on their jobs. Notably, Burbank saw a historic rally where speakers, including politicians and animation legends, rallied for workers’ rights, asserting that AI should not replace human creativity. Many artists feel AI is misused by corporations, threatening thousands of jobs.
During interviews with writers and actors on the picket lines of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA strikes last year, a predominant sentiment regarding artificial intelligence (AI) emerged. This sentiment, while mainly negative, encompassed anxiety, uncertainty, equivocation, and anger.
Strong Opposition to AI in Animation
At a recent rally in Burbank, a significant number of animation professionals voiced a uniformly strong opposition to AI. One animator declared, “AI can fuck right off,” while storyboard artists Lindsey Castro and Brittany McCarthy responded to questions about AI by simply booing. For these animation workers, AI is not a tool for exploration but a competitor to be resisted. A sign held by an attendee referenced the esteemed animator Hayao Miyazaki, who criticized the use of AI in the arts as “an insult to life itself.”
Rally Highlights and Speakers
Despite the sweltering heat, writer and emcee Rianda energized the crowd, introducing influential figures in the animation industry, including writers, directors, and animation icons such as Rebecca Sugar, Genndy Tartakovsky, and James Baxter. Union leaders, politicians, and rank-and-file workers also took to the mic. California Assemblymember Laura Friedman emphasized, “We’re not going to let your job be taken away by some computer, some soulless program.” The mayor of Burbank and actor Adam Conover also contributed remarks during the event.
Significance of the Rally
Organizers and speakers noted the unprecedented turnout, with one participant remarking, “I’ve never seen so many animation people in one place before; we like to stay in our dark caves.” Rianda claimed it was the largest rally in the history of the animation industry. He maintained a high energy level throughout the afternoon, entertaining the audience with jokes and chants, even as he visibly struggled with the sun’s intensity.
An Industry at a Crossroads
Hundreds of animators, often humorously referring to themselves as “indoor kids,” rallied together as underdogs confronting an industry shift where cutting-edge technology threatens their livelihoods. Rianda drew a parallel between the gathering and his animated film, where characters initially caught off guard by an unexpected crisis ultimately prevail against it.
Concerns About Job Losses
Expressing his concerns, Rianda stated, “I’m trying to do this stuff because I’m so concerned that if people aren’t educated about what could happen, just the worst thing is going to happen.” He pointed out that the gradual introduction of AI might lead to significant job losses, echoing, “I literally do think thousands of jobs will be lost.”
AI: A Double-Edged Sword
Like many of his fellow artists and creative professionals, Rianda views AI not as an inherently harmful technology but as one that is being misused by corporations. “The concept of AI is great: Use it to solve climate change and fix cancer, and do a bunch of other weird shit,” he explains. “But in the hands of a corporation, it is like a buzzsaw that will destroy us all.” Ultimately, he is committed to advocating for AI to be utilized responsibly and ethically.
