The Resistance — A Toolkit for Artists Against GenAI
As the owner and lead animation tutor among our team, I have been an outspoken advocate for artists against generative AI, that is, the kind of AI that is a true threat to artists and animators. In all discussions and arguments I’ve had involving AI, it is very helpful to distinguish between generative AI versus traditional or “predictive” AI, which is the kind you use to help research and find information (as one of many of its uses). While the nuances of this dialogue are still being established, and even though we are nowhere near a final conclusive understanding of what our relationship with it will be, we have begun compiling resources for you to use to properly understand it, and to be able to speak out against it with more authority.
Sometimes when I hear about new uses of AI, I feel more optimistic, and sometimes I feel more pessimistic, depending on the value or fulfillment of the labour it replaces. However, I continually return to the line in the sand of the generative kind. The kind that essentially trawls the internet for artwork, the written word, or music, and essentially generates its own highly reminiscent version of it without permission by the artist. Consent, however, is still extremely problematic because it affects all artists across the globe to allow this abusive technology to have no guard rails in the first place. An example case study was how Michael Caine recently consented to an AI company studying his voice to produce the voiceover for an audio book. Even though it has his consent and he was paid for it, it threatens the future work for skilled artists who have spent time honing their craft, in this case, voice actors. We need have worldwide legislation that protects artists, and to articulate why, we have created this resource page.
Since the Animation Tutors are obviously interested in the future of our students and faculty having fair, fulfilling jobs in the arts, I have made this working blog post that will be updated from time to time that will be meant to be a storehouse of resources and information to help you navigate the troubled waters of resistance to the corrupt application of this non-neutral technology. There are many arguments put forth by the pro-AI crowd of the inevitability of technology, or how it is “just a tool”, or how to resist it means to essentially be against progress, technology, or to be branded as a luddite. These are extremely narrow-minded arguments that we’ll help you dissect and oppose with confidence.
Treat this page essentially as a toolkit to communicate, understand, and fight back against Generative AI. I hope it will be useful, and if you have any resources you’d like to share, please comment below! This page, since we are an animation-based company, will naturally gravitate towards animation or illustration-specific uses of generative AI.
Let this serve as a beacon for hope and positive progress towards fair AI policies globally.
Start here:
Protests Against Artificial Intelligence Use in the Industry Planned at Annecy Animation Festival - Animation Magazine
Great beginning article to read, but in my opinion they are far too soft on the “consent” and “compensation” points. At the Animation Tutors we don’t condone the use of generative AI at all — we feel that even if artists were to give consent and be paid for their artwork, it would essential be an incredibly unfair power battle, and the large tech companies would always have the upper hand. It would also mean it would be essentially impossible for new artists to enter the industry. This is just one of the myriad of problems about it.
Petition to Sign Against the Use of GenAI at Annecy Animation Film Festival in France - Les Intervalles
First paragraph: “During its 2025 edition, the Annecy festival saw a coalition of 27 unions from 8 different countries come together to oppose the normalization of generative AI in the production of animated films, whether on a French, European or international scale. What is created by the festival the following year? Its first AI-focused think tank, coupled with six conferences dedicated to this technology, during which studio representatives and generative artificial intelligence vendors will discuss its implementation in our productions. All while reminding everyone that it must be done in an “ethical” way, without specifying what that term entails.”
Annecy Defends Hisko Hulsing After AI Protest Disrupts ‘Danse Macabre’ Premiere - Cartoon Brew Website
Quintessential case study to navigate the nuance and complexity of the use of GenAI that occurred at Annecy Film Festival in 2026. Artists walked out of the screening of the film Danse Macabre by Hisko Hulsing, despite him giving consent to the AI to train from his own artwork.
Amazon Unveils Its First GenAI Animation Projects, Including A New Series From Jorge Gutierrez - Cartoon Brew Website
Another troubling usage of GenAI by the famous animator Jorge Gutierrez, who has since received a huge backlash from artists about his involvement in the project. The comments on this article in particular are illuminating of how artists feel about his involvement.
AI-generated art can’t be copyrighted after Supreme Court declines to review the rule - The Verge
This is a bit of a murky one, with a seemingly positive headline. “The rule requires only that the author of that work be a human being — the person who created, operated, or use artificial intelligence — and not the machine itself,” the panel said. The panel noted that the Copyright Office “has allowed the registration of works made by human authors who use artificial intelligence.”
• The discussion of this news on Reddit helps (hopefully) to clarify the article: LINK
• This Youtube Video also helps to clarify what it means: LINK
The famous “Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro says 'I'd rather die' than use generative AI- NPR”
If only we had more filmmakers like Guillermo: “AI, particularly generative AI — I am not interested, nor will I ever be interested. I'm 61, and I hope to be able to remain uninterested in using it at all until I croak. ... The other day, somebody wrote me an email, said, "What is your stance on AI?" And my answer was very short. I said, "I'd rather die."“
Prominent Thinkers to Follow
Bart Fish (most active on LinkedIn) — Linktree
From Bart: “I post about genai’s ethical issues, its toolmen and their agenda. you can check out my newsletter to see more: www.powertoolsofai.com”
Jim Amos (most active on LinkedIn) - Linktree
From Jim: “Human-first technologist, full-stack software engineer, coach, writer. Follow for original critical thinking and leadership perspectives in the AI era.”
Books to Aid the Discussion
Note:
1) I haven’t read all of these, but as I do, I will update the descriptions.
2) I purposely have not hyperlinked these books. If you’re interested in purchasing any, please consider supporting your local bookstore or library over Amazon or other large corporations. Use Bookshop.com (USA) or Bookshop.org (UK).
Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman(read)
A essential read on the comparison of two prominent intellectuals in the 20th century (Huxley & Orwell). It looks at their different views of how power is aided by technology to oppress us. He feels that Huxley’s version in Brave New World was more correct — an extremely relevant read for our current day.
Technolopyby Neil Postman (to be read)
The Machine Age | An Idea, A History, A Warningby Robert Skidelsky (to be read)
Blood in the Machine | The Origins of the Rebellion Against Big Techby Brian Merchant (to be read)
Breaking Things At Work | The Luddites Were Right About Why You Hate Your Job by Gavin Mueller (to be read)
The Reverse Centaur's Guide to Life After AI: How to Think About Artificial Intelligence—Before It's Too Lateby Cory Doctorow (to be read)
Important News on Generative AI
San Diego Comic-Con Bans AI from Art Show - Animation Magazine
Warner Bros. Joins Studio Lawsuits Against GenAI Service Midjourney - Animation Magazine
DC Comics won’t support generative AI: ‘not now, not ever’ - The Verge
Videos Relating to Generative AI
The original video of Hayao Miyazaki (Studio Ghibli) expressing his thoughts on AI.
Guillermo Del Toro, the other most outspoken advocate against Generative AI — fears “natural stupidity more than artificial intelligence”
