The animation world is abuzz with talk of AI. Will it replace artists? Augment them? Serve them lukewarm coffee and ask them probing questions about their childhood? The possibilities are as endless as a badly trained neural network’s output. Toon Boom, industry titan, has already taken the plunge, integrating AI-powered tools into Storyboard Pro and Harmony. Meanwhile, nimble startups like Animaj are building entire ecosystems around AI animation. But one software house is standing firm, a lone bastion of analog resistance in a rapidly digitizing world.
That company is Lost Marble, the makers of Moho animation software. In a recent statement, they declared they have ‘no immediate plans’ to develop AI capabilities for their software. Their rationale? A refreshing dose of ethical considerations and legal uncertainties.
‘There are many issues surrounding generative AI,’ the statement reads, ‘These include ethical dilemmas about what it means to be an artist and how tools should help them, legal issues related to the power supply of AI models, a lack of clarity in defining who is the creator of something generated with AI, and many other issues.’
Okay, the power supply bit might be a slight exaggeration (probably a mistranslation from tech-speak). But the core message is clear: Moho is wary. Wary of the ethical quicksand, the legal minefield, and the existential dread that comes with questioning the very nature of art in the age of algorithms.
They continue, ‘We constantly listen to animators’ feedback and have big plans for the future. All the ideas we are considering relate to tools that help artists create their own artwork, with their own artistic perspective.’ So, no magic buttons to instantly generate a masterpiece. Just tools to empower actual humans. Imagine that!
Moho emphasizes the human element, stating, ‘Just like creating art, building tools also requires a lot of work, human thinking and creativity.’ It’s a defiant cry in a world increasingly obsessed with automation. They’re not just building software; they’re building a philosophy.
‘In the same way we haven’t used AI in the development of Smart Bones, Line Boil, our Brush engine, Liquid Shapes and every single feature Moho has, we will continue improving our software in the best way we know: listening to the artists, being innovative and looking for new ways to think about 2d animation.’ That’s right, good old-fashioned elbow grease and human ingenuity. A concept so quaint, it’s almost revolutionary.
‘Moho will continue to be a tool for artists. We still believe that the future is 2d. And it is also human.’ There you have it. A declaration of independence from the AI overlords (or at least a polite request for them to stay out of the animation studio).
Moho might not be the biggest player in the animation game, but it boasts an impressive track record, with studios like Cartoon Saloon (of Puffin Rock and Wolfwalkers fame) utilizing it in their pipelines. Dreamworks Animation TV has also tapped into Moho’s capabilities for series like Dawn Of The Croods and All Hail King Julien.
The question remains: is Moho right? Are they clinging to a romanticized notion of art in a world that’s rapidly embracing AI? Or are they the only ones sane enough to see the potential pitfalls of handing creative control over to the machines? Only time will tell. But one thing’s for sure: their stance is a refreshing reminder that art, at its core, is a human endeavor. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go paint something… badly.
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