Pete Docter, Chief Creative Officer at Pixar, says artificial intelligence (AI) is unlikely to fully replace human animators in filmmaking. Speaking on the “Working It Out” podcast hosted by comedian Mike Birbiglia, Docter called AI “the least impressive blah average of things,” suggesting it lacks creativity and emotional depth.

Docter, who directed films like Up and Inside Out, said AI may reduce some of the technical workload for animators but won’t replace the human touch required for storytelling and character performance.

The comments come amid growing concern in Hollywood about AI’s impact on creative jobs. In 2023, AI-related fears were one of the key issues during the writers’ strike. While some filmmakers, such as James Cameron, see AI as a way to cut costs and streamline production, others fear it may lead to job losses.

Docter acknowledged these worries but emphasized that even in the early days of animation, only a small number of people had the unique combination of talent and skill to excel. He noted that technology has made animation more accessible by reducing the need for expert-level drawing, but said creativity and timing are still essential.

“I was wondering whether AI will continue to help us lift some of the heavy burdens that we have to carry as an animator,” he said, adding that this might allow artists to focus more on performance and storytelling.

Pixar’s latest film, Elio, a sci-fi animated feature, was released in theaters on June 20. While Docter did not dismiss AI entirely, he made it clear that human creativity will remain at the heart of Pixar’s work.

Disney, Pixar’s parent company, did not provide a comment.