Laika's CEO calls AI 'antithetical to everything we are' in filmmaking
In brief
- Laika releases *Wildwood*, its most ambitious film, made over 5 years by over 1,000 artists.
- CEO Travis Knight criticizes generative AI, calling it opposed to handcrafted filmmaking.
- AI is infiltrating Hollywood via digital replicas or models trained on existing works.
Laika, the stop-motion studio behind *Coraline* and *ParaNorman*, has released *Wildwood*, its most ambitious film to date. Produced over five years by over 1,000 artists and 49 animators, the project involved 230 puppets, including 36 for the main character. This painstaking, handcrafted process contrasts sharply with the rapid promises of generative AI.
Laika CEO and director Travis Knight spoke out against AI in an interview. For him, generative AI is "antithetical to everything we stand for" at the studio. He defends traditional tools like brushes or computers when wielded by artists, rejecting purely algorithmic creations, which he argues lack humanity.
As AI infiltrates Hollywood through digital replicas of actors or models trained on existing works, Laika remains committed to its handmade approach. While acknowledging AI's potential in fields like medicine, Knight warns of its destructive uses and calls for responsible regulation.
What it changes for you
- Media & EntertainmentArtisan studios like Laika may stand out by emphasizing human authenticity against generative AI.
This summary gives you the essentials. The full article, its figures and quotes are on AI | The Verge.
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