Laika CEO Travis Knight: Generative AI Goes Against the Nature of Our Studio

Travis Knight, CEO of Laika studio and director of the film Wildwood, released on October 23, voiced his criticisms regarding generative artificial intelligence technologies. Describing the replacement of artists by AI as "theft," Knight emphasized that human stories can only be told by humans with real experiences.

Completed over a five-year development process, Wildwood was prepared using more than 230 puppets through the labor of 49 animators. This process, which involved contributions from over 1,000 artists in total, is described by Knight as a stance against the "ready-made solutions" offered by AI. Knight noted that the studio is not against technology, but that tools such as 3D printers or computers gain meaning only in the hands of an artist.

Rejecting AI taking over the creative process of the artist, Knight stated, "A computer has never fallen in love, lost someone, or experienced heartbreak. Only a human can convey these experiences." Evaluation: While Knight believes AI can be beneficial in fields such as medicine and science, he argues that its use in the art world carries the risk of destroying the essence of creativity.