AI is starting to take jobs away from animals in Hollywood
Hollywood studios are beginning to actively use artificial intelligence and computer graphics to depict animals in post-production, instead of bringing real furry creatures to the set.
Hollywood studios are beginning to actively use artificial intelligence and computer graphics to depict animals in post-production, instead of bringing real furry creatures to the set.
This is reported by the publication Futurism. It is noted that such a star dog as Rocco, who played in «The Morning Show» and «Veronica Mars», is having difficulty finding work and is forced to star in various commercials.
In addition to dogs and cats competing for roles, trainers, agents, and other people who help out in show business are worried that AI could take their jobs away.
«This has certainly had quite an impact on studio animal trainers and the studio animal business,» said Studio Animal Services owner Karin McElhatton.
Actress Elaine Van der Velden previously revealed that her AI talent studio Xicoia is in talks with a number of agencies interested in signing her first AI creation, actress Tilly Norward. She could become the first digital person to receive such a contract.
Therefore, human actors are already under threat from AI, and this danger is approaching animals who appear in movies and TV series.
The animal acting industry has already been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike, during which actors fought for protection from artificial intelligence, and some fear that this technology could be another blow to the industry.
Benay Karp, owner of Benay’s Bird & Animal Rentals, based in Los Angeles, found that the number of jobs has decreased to just 40 percent compared to the pre-pandemic period.
«I don’t think I’ve had a call in the last three or four, maybe five years asking for a woodpecker. I have a flock of seagulls. I think I’ve only had one order for them in the last year, whereas before they were working all the time,» said Benay Karp, owner of Benay’s Bird & Animal Rentals.
Even dogs, cats, and horses are having trouble finding work, which suggests that visual effects are taking their jobs away. For example, Oz, director James Gunn’s dog, Oz, who played the role of Krypto the dog in the 2025 film Superman, was almost entirely recreated using computer graphics.
Proponents of this approach say that AI can reduce cruel and exploitative treatment of animals.
«We know that AI, like all technology, can be used for good or for harm. In this case, this is one way that artificial intelligence can be used for a truly good cause, which is to end animal suffering in the entertainment industry,» says Lauren Thomasson, a film and television director at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
Critics of the use of AI and CGI point out that Krypto in Superman looked artificial and alien.
Recall that in January of this year, the famous American actor Harrison Ford, whose digitized images belong to Disney, answered the question of whether he was trying to ensure control over his appearance, preparing for a future when studios will be able to make films using completely synthetic versions of famous actors at any age.
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