With the funding, Amazon announced a trio of Prime Video shows born from it. Reactions to the entire development were negative, with much discussion regarding the two series, punky duck From el tigre Producer George R. Gutierrez, and BuzzFeed Studios’ Cupcakes and Friends. In the latter case, Lauryn Brantz—who originally created the Good Advice Cupcake that would be the series’ title—condemned BuzzFeed for “taking my character and giving it to an AI platform.” He alleged that while working at BuzzFeed, the company “repeatedly assured me in good faith” that it would not use his character without any input.
‘The Good Advice Cupcakes’ creator Lauryn Brantz says she’s “horrified and disappointed” after BuzzFeed reportedly put her character on an AI platform without her involvement.
He also called for a boycott of BuzzFeed and AI-generated animation. pic.twitter.com/DrAiAo49S5
— Toonhive (@Toonhive) May 27, 2026
But Brantz said he was never provided legal options to enforce it cupcakes and friends. As such, hearing that her character was recast in a show using Amazon’s GenAI technology made her feel as if “my intestines had been ripped out of my body.” He then claimed that (now former) BuzzFeed CEO Jonah Peretti tried to get him to sign an NDA after he “pleaded” with them not to make the deal. Due to the NDA not being signed, he has independently called it “an attack on artists everywhere” and encouraged people to boycott BuzzFeed and any other AI-generated animated works.
However, it is Gutierrez who has received the most criticism. Prior to this, he had built up considerable goodwill by working on various projects and criticizing GenAI being used in Hollywood productions. He was “cautiously optimistic” about the program, and did not receive a warm reception, comparing the technology to “having sex and then they hand you the baby”. The reactions later escalated to death threats against his family (which he immediately condemned), and he has since been kicked off the program.
“Actions speak louder than words,” he wrote. “My intention was to showcase artists both new and experienced, both in and out of the studio, while advancing this new technology. To those I have upset, I sincerely apologize. I promise to do better going forward.”
I have decided to leave the AI program at Amazon. I will not be making a Punky Duck series. Actions speak louder than words.
My intention was to showcase new and experienced artists, both inside and outside the studio, piloting this new technology.
My heartfelt apologies… https://t.co/GJQZMkfZwd
-George R. Gutierrez (@Mexopolis) May 29, 2026
As The Hollywood Reporter notes, the animation scene is seen as “poised for disruption”, so the focus is on getting GenAI into that particular area. In the eyes of many, including senior people at Amazon, the technology could make animated series take less time to create and reduce friction in development pipelines. won’t like any show anymore invincible It takes many years to appear at its best, the form fans love most; A team of tens of people would only need a handful of people to bring a scene to life. And most importantly, it could democratize the entire animation process and free aspiring animators and artists from the professional tools and protection they need to truly advance their careers.
The promise of what GenAI can do in any industry has been made repeatedly for the past three years. At the same time, technology has in different ways harmed or embarrassed the people who use it and others, including companies that have spent millions on it. Earlier this week, The Wall Street Journal reported that big companies like Microsoft and Meta spent a lot of money on GenAI tools and are now trying to figure out what tools are available to their employees. Public sentiment toward the technology is also low, to the extent that speakers at many college graduation ceremonies have been met with ridicule as soon as they tried to discuss its benefits.
This kind of public disdain likely won’t force Amazon, Microsoft or others to abandon GenAI altogether. But the growing anger around it, and the potential for those who have agreed to it to be forced to back down when they see what the negativity is like, shows that people will not accept any leniency thrown their way.
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