The role of artificial intelligence in animation is evolving quickly, shifting from a theoretical debate to a practical strategic necessity. This evolution was center stage at the Kidscreen Summit 2026 in San Diego, where Toon Boom’s leadership joined industry experts for “The New Pipeline: AI on the Front Lines.” The panel offered a grounded look at how studios are integrating emerging tools to refine workflows while safeguarding the creative soul of the craft.
At its core, animation is a discipline of technical precision. At Toon Boom, we believe technology should never dictate the creative direction; instead, it should remove the barriers to it. Our goal is to ensure the artist’s hand remains the primary driver of every frame.
With the introduction of Ember in Harmony and Storyboard Pro, we are integrating ethical AI features specifically designed to empower the artist. By automating repetitive, non-creative tasks – script breakdowns and complex masking – Ember allows studios to maintain a seamless pipeline where creators stay in control of the narrative.
"The future of 2D animation depends on our ability to innovate without compromising the integrity of the artist’s work. With Ember, we are establishing a standard for ethical AI that respects intellectual property and protects the creative process." — Colin Bohm, CEO, Toon Boom Animation
Ember is built on four core pillars of legal and professional security:
Human-Centric Control: Tools assist rather than replace, leaving final decisions to the artist.
IP and Data Security: Assets are never used for model training; data is destroyed immediately after processing.
Vetted Partnerships: Toon Boom collaborates exclusively with partners like Bria AI and Eleven Labs who prioritize copyright compliance.
Studio Autonomy: Functional control remains with the studio; AI features can be toggled to fit specific policies.
This is Toon Boom's commitment to a future where innovation meets real production needs, opening new possibilities for studios everywhere.
Watch the Full Kidscreen Panel Conversation:
Participants:
Moderator - Colin Bohm - CEO, Toon Boom
Franciso del Cueto - CTO, Toon Boom
Doug Bloom - Vice President Generative AI - Media & Entertainment, Bria AI
Daniel Efergen - Founder Efergen Consultancy
For more insights from the artists behind the world's major features, explore the Toon Boom Blog.
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