“This entire community never gives up- never abandons its faith,” posted del Toro. “Made by humans for humans. Whomever joins this adventure is doing the animation Gods’ work.”
This is not the only controversy around Amazon’s AI animation program. Punky Duck is part of a trilogy of new animated series from the AI Creators’ Fund. Duck joins Love, Diana Music Hunters, which y’know, looks awfully familiar, as well as Cupcake & Friends. The latter, based on Loryn Brantz’ The Good Advice Cupcake, was made without the original cartoonists involvement or permission, as she debuted the character during her time at Buzzfeed.
“I am horrified and disgusted by BuzzFeed taking my character,” Brantz responded. “My time at BuzzFeed was marked by continually being taken advantage of and lied to. They repeatedly assured me in good faith that they would never do anything with Cuppy without my input, yet offered me no legal options, insisting that I would never need them. The news that this character, who is based on my own personality and whom I created as a microphone to spread love and positivity, has been taken and turned into a soulless AI puppet feels like my intestines being pulled out of my body.”
Since dismantling their editorial room, Buzzfeed has aimed to pivot towards AI made entertainment. So far, nothing has stuck. Brantz encouraged her fans to boycott Buzzfeed and all AI-generated animation.