Aardman Animations, the studio behind Wallace & Gromit and Chicken Run, has confirmed it is preparing to explore the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in its production process. The studio’s co-founder, Nick Park, said that Aardman is open to adopting the technology but will do so cautiously.

The creator of Wallace and Gromit states that Aardman Animations will be ‘cautious’ while integrating AI

Nick Park, the creator of Wallace and Gromit, has discussed how AI will impact future productions at Aardman Animations. He mentioned that the studio will investigate how this technology could be integrated into its workflow.

In an interview with Radio Times, Park reflected on previous technological advancements that raised concerns in the animation industry. He recalled the debut of Toy Story in 1995, stating, “When Toy Story came out, we thought, ‘How long have we got?’ But we’ve managed to survive CGI.”

He noted that there has been a growing interest in handcrafted stop-motion animation over the years, emphasizing, “In fact, there’s been a resurgence of interest over the years in our stop motion animation.” While the studio uses CGI when necessary, Park remarked that AI “is a whole new thing.” He added, “Obviously, a lot of people will be fearing for their jobs.”

Park clarified the studio’s current position by stating, “We want to embrace the technology and find in what ways it’s going to be useful to us, maybe to do animation a bit quicker, but we’re going to be very cautious not to lose our values.” He emphasized that clay animation is vital to Aardman’s identity, describing it as the company’s unique selling proposition (USP). “The clay is our USP, and we pride ourselves in that. Authenticity is the most important thing. It’s where the charm is.”

Aardman, renowned for Wallace & Gromit, Chicken Run, and Flushed Away, recently released Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl. The studio’s upcoming feature, Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom, is scheduled for release in 2026.