Jorge R. Gutierrez, one of the filmmakers behind an AI-driven project greenlighted by Amazon Prime Video via a newly established creator fund, has dropped out of the program.
Citing backlash from creative peers and fans, Gutierrez announced the move Friday on social media. The filmmaker is known for animated projects like feature film The Book of Life and series Maya and the Three.
“I will not be making a Punky Duck series,” he wrote on X. “Actions speak louder than words. My intent was to showcase artists, both new and seasoned, both inside and outside the studios, driving this new tech. My sincerest apology to those I upset. I promise to do better moving forward. Thank you for your patience with me. I will try harder.”
Amazon announced the creation of the GenAI Creators’ Fund, which is also backed by its AWS division, on Wednesday as the AI on the Lot conference kicked off in Culver City. The company said Punky Duck and two other series would stream on Prime Video as part of the program. The tech company was one of the event’s title sponsors. Albert Cheng, VP and head of AI studios for Amazon MGM Studios, talked up Punky Duck and the other series in an appearance at the conference. He said an embrace of AI, combined with human creativity, can help revive LA’s troubled production sector.
With attendance of nearly 2,500, the conference demonstrated the strong creative appetite to explore constructive uses of AI, with many sessions and conversations entering blue-sky territory. But the groundswell of techno-optimism has played out against a backdrop of extreme sensitivity across the industry given the dynamics of the emerging technology, whose models are trained on established IP. For every James Cameron and Jon Favreau leaning into AI, there are many others in the creative community who insist it is an invitation to copyright violation that will only exacerbate the industry’s challenges.
One of the many responses Gutierrez received on X was from voiceover actor Billy West, whose credits include Futurama and The Ren and Stimpy Show. “You’re a good man,” West wrote. “It is very seductive that something now exists that contains the collective works of millions of artists and wordsmiths all thrown in a blender allowing one to pour out on demand things based on suggestions and prompts. You become a soul stealer, a grave robber of sorts. You are an artist! God gave you a far greater gift and purpose to share with others. We need your true self!”
Amazon MGM Studios did not respond to Deadline’s request for comment.
Here is the message from Gutierrez, who made a separate appearance from Cheng’s at AI on the Lot to discuss the project, and subsequently had a lot of back-and-forth with his followers:
I have decided to drop out of the AI program at Amazon. I will not be making a Punky Duck series. Actions speak louder than words.
My intent was to showcase artists, both new and seasoned, both inside and outside the studios, driving this new tech.
My sincerest apology to… https://t.co/GJQZMkfZwd
English (US) ·