Katzenberg: AI is the New CGI for Animation
- At the Axios AI+ Summit, Jeffrey Katzenberg, co-founder of DreamWorks, drew parallels between the rise of artificial intelligence and the introduction of CGI in the 1990s.
- Katzenberg, a former Disney executive whose credits include "Shrek," recalled the initial resistance to "Toy Story" due to its then-groundbreaking CGI.
- He emphasized that while disruption is inevitable, the animation industry has only grown.
Jeffrey Katzenberg, co-founder of DreamWorks, delivers a stark message: AI is the new CGI for animation, and adapting is no longer optional. The former Disney executive, speaking at the Axios AI+ Summit, highlighted that the entertainment industry mirrors the CGI revolution of the 90s.He clarifies that artificial intelligence will not replace talent; rather, it will supplant those who refuse to integrate AI into their workflow. Katzenberg’s insights reveal the necessity of embracing AI, signaling a pivotal shift in animation. This forecast from News Directory 3 underscores the urgency for industry professionals to evolve or risk obsolescence. discover what’s next for animators in this transformative era.
katzenberg: AI Won’t Replace People, But Those Who Don’t Use It Will
Updated June 4, 2025
At the Axios AI+ Summit, Jeffrey Katzenberg, co-founder of DreamWorks, drew parallels between the rise of artificial intelligence and the introduction of CGI in the 1990s. He stressed that thriving in the evolving entertainment landscape hinges on embracing new technology.
Katzenberg, a former Disney executive whose credits include “Shrek,” recalled the initial resistance to “Toy Story” due to its then-groundbreaking CGI. He noted that those most fearful of disruption were the ones most likely to be affected.
He emphasized that while disruption is inevitable, the animation industry has only grown. The key, according to Katzenberg, is that artificial intelligence won’t replace talent, but rather those who fail to integrate it into their workflows. Those who learn to use AI as a new tool will flourish.
AI isn’t going to replace people, it’s going to replace people that don’t use AI.
Katzenberg cautioned that while change can be uncomfortable, failing to adapt will lead to irrelevance.