GUWAHATI: A 2016 video of renowned animator Hayao Miyazaki expressing his disdain for AI-generated animation has resurfaced online amid growing discussions about artificial intelligence in art. The clip, taken from an NHK documentary by Kaku Arukawa, has sparked fresh debate as AI-generated Studio Ghibli-style animations have recently gain traction over the web.
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In the video, Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki are shown a demonstration of an AI animation project. The AI-generated sequence featured a grotesque, unnatural movement that the creators claimed could be used in a zombie video game.
Miyazaki, visibly disturbed, responded with strong criticism in particular. Recalling a disabled friend’s struggle with movement, he stated, "Whoever creates this stuff has no idea what pain is." He further condemned AI-generated art, calling it "an insult to life itself."
The resurfacing of this footage comes at a time when AI-generated art inspired by Studio Ghibli’s signature style is gaining popularity. Various AI tools are now capable of mimicking the distinct hand-drawn aesthetic of Miyazaki’s films, raising concerns about the dilution of artistic authenticity.
The debate has further intensified over whether AI can truly create art or if it merely replicates patterns without genuine emotion or lived experience.
Miyazaki’s reaction in the video reflected his broader fears about technology’s encroachment on human creativity. He warned that such developments signal a loss of faith in humanity, adding, "I feel like we are nearing the end of times."
