Jorge Gutierrez said he will no longer create AI-powered animated series for Amazon Prime Video as part of the company's new initiative to fund AI-powered entertainment projects, and apologized to "those I upset" after backlash to news of his involvement emerged this week.
«"I've decided to leave the AI program at Amazon," Gutierrez wrote on social media on Friday. "I won't be making a Punky Duck series. Actions speak louder than words.".
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Gutierrez continued: "My goal was to showcase the talents of artists, both emerging and experienced, working both in and out of studios, who are embracing new technologies. I offer my sincerest apologies to those I've upset. I promise to do better in the future. Thank you for your patience. I will do better.".
Amazon MGM described Gutierrez's planned AI-powered series, Punky Duck, as the story of "an adorable punk duck and his best friend, Smiley the cat," set in a chaotic Los Angeles plagued by alien invasions, monsters, and other "supernatural mayhem.".
Representatives for Amazon MGM did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Gutierrez was initially announced to lead one of three projects approved by Amazon MGM Studios as part of the new GenAI Creators' Fund, which provides funding and access to artificial intelligence tools for filmmakers, digital content creators, and tech startups to develop high-quality TV shows and films. Amazon MGM is partnering with an AWS subsidiary to launch what they claim will be the industry's first dedicated AI content production platform.
Gutierrez is the writer and director of the animated feature film The Book of Life for 20th Century Studios, and the creator of the series El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera for Nickelodeon and The Mayans and the Three for Netflix.
Earlier on Friday, Gutierrez wrote: "Learning a lot from many of you. Thank you. Lots of information I'm carefully studying. I completely understand the concerns about using AI to assist in the animation process. To everyone who's been understanding, I'm very grateful. I have a lot to think about.".
This was the original tagline provided by Amazon to MGM about Gutierrez's project:
«Punky Duck: An adorable punk duck and his best friend, Smiley Cat, zip through a wildly over-the-top Los Angeles, hilariously encountering alien invasions, giant monsters, robotic criminal plots, soap opera-style family dramas, and supernatural mayhem—all while trying (and usually failing) to do the right thing.
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