BC Animators Forge AI Protections Amid Job Market Disruption

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are reshaping the job landscape, prompting concerns among workers in various sectors. In British Columbia, animators are finding reasons for optimism despite the disruptions. Key industry figures, such as Vancouver-based animator Emily Gossmann, are advocating for protections that reflect the unique challenges presented by AI.

This fall, 1X Robotics launched humanoid robots designed for domestic tasks. The company’s CEO stated in the Wall Street Journal that these robots symbolize a future characterized by “an abundance of labour.” Concurrently, the release of OpenAI‘s video generation tool, Sora 2, on September 30 has led to a significant rise in AI-generated video content online.

While some sectors are reducing their workforce in response to AI advancements, Gossmann remains optimistic. “I am an optimist,” she said, emphasizing her belief in the value of human creativity and the union’s role in advocating for labor rights. Gossmann serves as a senior steward with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 938, which has successfully negotiated protections for over 500 animators in Vancouver.

Collective agreements established by the union provide safeguards against AI-related plagiarism and require consultation before any AI tools are implemented in the workplace. These measures reflect a proactive approach to the challenges posed by AI, especially as provincial and federal governments grapple with regulatory frameworks.

Enda Brophy, an associate professor at Simon Fraser University, highlights the significance of these protections. He notes that while AI represents a substantial risk to workers, particularly in creative fields, the film sector is at the forefront of addressing these concerns. “Workers in the film sector have been at the cutting edge of responding to this threat,” Brophy explained.

The fight for AI regulation gained momentum during the 2023 strikes by actors and writers, which temporarily shut down Hollywood. Following the resolution of these strikes, studios committed not to use AI for writing or rewriting scripts and agreed to compensate actors for the use of AI replicas. This precedent has empowered animators to negotiate their own set of protections.

In 2021, more than 200 employees at animation studio Titmouse Vancouver unionized with IATSE Local 938. By July 2023, the union secured its first contract for 300 employees at WildBrain Studios. Both studios have not commented publicly on these developments, but Gossmann affirms that the contracts include essential AI protections.

Under these agreements, animators are not held responsible if AI tools inadvertently replicate another studio’s intellectual property. Furthermore, any work produced by AI cannot be credited as human work. Instead, the animator who revises AI-generated materials receives full credit. Gossmann asserts that this distinction prevents studios from relegating animators to lower-paid positions that involve merely editing AI outputs.

“To just be a revisionist and not have your hands in the creative process is very demoralizing,” she shared, emphasizing the importance of meaningful contributions in the creative industry. The studios have also committed to consulting the union prior to introducing any AI technologies.

For Gossmann, the current use of AI in animation primarily serves to expedite complex tasks, such as simulating particles or lighting effects, rather than replacing human workers. Brophy views the protections as a foundational step for other creative professions, as illustrators and graphic designers face similar threats from AI technologies.

“These measures aren’t a silver bullet, but they do set a key precedent, which workers can point to and build upon,” Brophy noted. Despite the cautious optimism among animators, industries remain vigilant regarding the potential impact of AI on employment.

Many companies that once aimed to replace human workers with AI are now rehiring employees, recognizing the limitations of current AI capabilities. As the debate over AI regulation continues, Gossmann highlights the urgent need for government intervention to protect jobs. During a recent review of the labor code, unions, including IATSE Local 938, urged provincial authorities to mandate consultations before employers adopt AI technologies.

A panel of legal experts forwarded these recommendations to the provincial government, which was still considering the report at the time of publication. Vass Bednar, managing director of the Canadian SHIELD Institute, compares the current AI threat to the outsourcing trends of the early 21st century. He emphasizes the importance of government action to preserve jobs within Canada.

“Adoption has been very slow,” Gossmann remarked, noting that studios are cautious in their use of AI while legal battles over copyright issues unfold. “It’s incorporated into visual effects workflows in a limited way, but not as a full replacement.” Gossmann remains confident that AI has yet to produce work that meets the artistic standards of the animation industry.

“I still am not seeing AI create anything of a quality that could replace the artistry and the skill of our industry,” she stated. As workers across various fields call for stronger regulations, the path forward remains uncertain. The challenge lies in balancing technological advancements with the need to protect jobs and maintain creative integrity in a rapidly evolving landscape.