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The media and entertainment industry is undergoing a dramatic shift, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) becoming central to visual effects (VFX) production. From indie creators to major studios, AI is transforming the entire pipeline—from ideation and asset generation to motion capture and photorealistic rendering.

AI VFX Is Democratizing Content Creation

AI-powered tools like Autodesk Flow Studio (formerly Wonder Studio), RunwayML, OpenAI Sora, and Luma AI are leveling the playing field. Nearly 70% of new AI studios are run by teams of five or fewer, delivering work once only possible for large, well-funded companies. For example, DeepMotion Animate 3D allows motion capture from regular videos, while Autodesk’s MotionMaker in Maya can cut animation time by over 60%.

These tools are being actively used across film, television, and gaming. High-profile examples include:

• Wētā FX’s use of AI in Better Man and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,

• DNEG’s Ziva technology in Godzilla x Kong and The Garfield Movie, and

• Metaphysic’s real-time de-aging tools in Here and Furiosa.

At the same time, top VFX companies are increasing their use of AI in major productions, signaling wide-scale adoption across the industry.

Who’s Leading the Charge?

In the past 18 months, the most prolific VFX companies—based on the number of completed projects—include:

These companies, alongside others like PixStone, Wētā FX, Rodeo FX, and ReDefine, are handling massive workloads while adapting their pipelines to include AI tools.

A Changing Workforce and Workflow

AI is shifting job roles within VFX. While traditional roles like rotoscopers or animators still exist, new positions like “prompt engineers” and “AI-integrated art directors” are emerging. Hybrid pipelines—combining traditional footage with AI-generated elements—are becoming standard.

Rather than replacing artists, AI is augmenting their abilities. For example, Metaphysic’s tools enabled real-time feedback on de-aged performances, and DNEG’s Ziva Face enables real-time muscle and skin simulations. These capabilities are streamlining production while maintaining artistic integrity.

Future Outlook

From real-time de-aging to virtual humans in gaming, AI is already reshaping what’s possible in VFX. Platforms like OpenAI Sora and Luma Dream Machine are empowering creators with minimal resources to produce high-quality content.

With VFX powerhouses like ILM, DNEG, and Framestore integrating these technologies into blockbuster films and high-end series, the trend is clear: AI is not a future disruption—it’s today’s production standard.

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