Warner Bros. Animation president Sam Register confirmed his stance on protecting artists as long as possible against artificial intelligence (AI).
The integration of A.I. technology into the animation industry has sparked a significant debate. While some view it as a potential shortcut to expedite the final product, concerns have been raised about the origins of the technology, which has roots in the use of stolen artwork from other creators. A recent example is Midjourney, one of the high-profile entities in the AI-image generation business, which has been under fire for issues with infringement.
Fortunately, it seems artists and other creatives have the support of Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network President Sam Register.
Top entertainment industry executives joined The Times'@RFaughnder to discuss issues including the uncertain future of streaming and linear TV and how studios and artists are responding to the threat of #AI.
Watch #TheEnvelope Company Town roundtable now:https://t.co/FTqg4zGCIG
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) January 3, 2024
In a recent roundtable discussion set by the LA Times with studio executives, Register expressed his opposition to the use of artificial intelligence (A.I.) in their works, emphasizing the importance of protecting artists at the studio. The panel discussion, which included industry figures such as FredAnthony Smith (yes, that’s how his first name is spelled), Roy Lee, Jonathan Glickman, Nicole Brown, and Chris Hart, delved into the broader topic of artificial intelligence’s application to content creation.
During the roundtable, Register stated, “Animation’s a visual medium. But so far, I haven’t seen anything AI can do visually that an artist doesn’t do better currently.” This straightforward response underscored his belief in the superiority of human artists over A.I. in the realm of visual storytelling and the WB executive stands firm in his commitment to safeguarding the artistic integrity of Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios.
Register emphasized the need to prioritize artists and the art form, stating, “I just think it’s important we protect the artists and the art form as long as we can. Because I think we should give jobs to people who really do that and so they can get their entry-level experience.”
Sam Register, President of Warner Bros. Animation, is against using AI.
"I just think it’s important we protect the artists and the art form as long as we can. [With storyboarding], we should give jobs to people who really do that so they can get their entry-level experience." pic.twitter.com/nfvZPeW2mt
— Animation on Max (@AnimationOnMax) January 2, 2024
Register also tackled the evolving landscape of linear television and streaming services. While acknowledging the profitability of linear networks, he acknowledged the challenges posed by the changing media landscape.
“It’s getting harder. As part of Warner Bros., we have lots of linear networks. They’re very profitable, and we’re still selling great stuff to them. But we’re also making sure there’s a place that they will live also on streaming, so we’re doing ambidextrous programming and selling.”
Despite the success of Warner Bros. Animation’s adult-oriented content, Register acknowledged a struggle to captivate the demographic of younger audiences. We make everything from preschool to adult animation, and it’s the kids, that 6-to-11 core, that basically Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon and Disney all made their bones on,” he noted. “That is disappearing. We’re seeing a lot more YA and adult animation doing great. And we see a lot of younger content being produced. But it’s that space in the middle, and it’s not just streaming that’s getting kids away from linear. It’s YouTube and it’s Roblox.
Warner Bros. Animation, under Sam Register’s guidance, appears to be committed to the traditional role of artists in the animation process. While acknowledging the challenges presented by the evolving media landscape, Register advocates for the protection of artists and their craft, emphasizing the need to prioritize human creativity over artificial intelligence in the animation industry.
The A.I. abuse and exploitation of proprietary works of artists, creators, designers, and more have become increasingly hot topics. The SAG-AFTRA and Writers’ Guild of America held prolonged labor strikes over major Hollywood studios’ attempts at cost-cutting by using AI as replacements. Another example is Hasbro and its subsidiary Wizards of the Coast being criticized for artwork generated with A.I. in their published products.
But what do you think of the head of Warner Bros. Animation’s advocacy against AI-generated images and instead supporting traditional artists? Do artists need more protection against their works being used without their permission or being given compensation for training A.I.? Should there be stronger regulation of the data AI companies are exploiting?
