Over the last few months, one of the biggest issues raised by artists in front of the big production houses is the use of AI in art. This was a major demand even in the SAG-AFTRA strikes that brought the whole Hollywood to a standstill. Although the strikers and producers reached a common ground and strikes were called off, the issue of use of AI pertains and one of the biggest studios is making a statement on Thanksgiving.
The Instagram account of Walt Disney World shared a short clip on the occasion of Thanksgiving that has sparked controversy. The cause of the controversy is the AI generated art used in the clip. Netizens have called out Disney for ‘stooping low’. They said that how can multi billion dollar companies like Disney not pay real artists and rely on cheap AI art instead.
The use of AI on a big occasion can also be seen as a symbolic message that the company wants to show to the artists. The message is loud and clear that the future of the company is not dependent on artists. Their work can be replaced by AI technology however the company seems not much concerned about the quality delivered by these AI tools.
It is ironic how Disney is celebrating its journey of a hundred years. It has been dependent on its artists for almost all of its years since inception so the reaction from the artists towards this new shift to technology is rational.
AI art has been controversial not only because of the ethics around it but also the quality it delivers. AI art has never been able to impress artists and although it manages to do well for ordinary things, it hasn’t produced anything worth mentioning.
