Earlier this week, *El Tigre* creator Jorge R. Gutierrez revealed *Punky Duck*, part of a trio of new animated series generated by AI that are set to debut from Amazon. Although the idea of a brash duck with a defiant personality was intended to attract viewers, it instead incited a backlash that Gutierrez had not foreseen. Just two days following the announcement, he took to social media to separate himself from the whole initiative.
“I have made the decision to withdraw from the AI program at Amazon,” Gutierrez shared. “My goal was to highlight artists, both emerging and established, both inside and outside the studios, who are engaging with this new technology. I sincerely apologize to those I have upset. I pledge to improve going forward. Thank you for your understanding. I will strive harder.”
The backlash against AI-produced content is extensive and deeply rooted, especially within the animation sector. After the announcement of *Punky Duck*, filmmaker Guillermo del Toro used social media to endorse *I Am Frankelda*, the first full-length Mexican stop-motion film. Del Toro, who contributed to the film’s production, stressed that it, like other animated projects, is “crafted by humans for humans.” While he did not directly refer to Gutierrez, it was evident that his remarks critiqued the increasing dependence on AI in creative professions.
“This whole community never gives in—never loses its hope,” del Toro proclaimed. “Created by humans for humans. Those who embark on this journey are performing the work of the animation Gods.”
*Punky Duck* is part of Amazon’s AI Creators’ Fund, which also features *Love, Diana Music Hunters* and *Cupcake & Friends*. The latter series, based on Loryn Brantz’s *The Good Advice Cupcake*, was developed without Brantz’s participation or consent, prompting her to voice her outrage and disgust over the misuse of her character. Brantz expressed feelings of betrayal to BuzzFeed, where she originally developed the character, stating, “My experience at BuzzFeed was characterized by constantly being exploited and deceived. They repeatedly assured me in good faith that they would never do anything with Cuppy without my input, yet provided me with no legal protections, insisting that I would never require them.”
The shift of *BuzzFeed* towards AI-generated entertainment has garnered substantial criticism. In spite of their attempts to broaden their offerings through AI, the outcomes have yet to resonate with audiences, leading Brantz to urge her followers to boycott *BuzzFeed* and all AI-generated animation.
The rising disquiet within the animation community concerning AI technology underscores a wider apprehension about the trajectory of creative industries and the potential repercussions for artists and their original works. As developments continue, the discussion about the function of AI in storytelling and animation grows more intense, raising questions about the worth of human creativity in an ever-automated environment.
