AI Disrupts Animation UK Protects Jobs, Vietnam Expands Opportunities

I spent the last few days teaching myself about AI's impact on the animation industry, and the contrast between how the UK and Vietnam are experiencing this shift is fascinating, and unsettling.

I've been diving into reports from the British Film Institute, Vietnamese creative industry studies, and LinkedIn discussions with animators in both countries. Here's what I'm seeing.

The Data I Found

UK: A 2024 British Film Institute study found that generative AI could affect up to 203,000 jobs in the UK's screen industries over the next five years, with entry-level roles like junior animators and in-between artists particularly vulnerable. The BFI's research revealed that 53% of UK animation professionals worry AI tools trained on copyrighted content threaten their intellectual property rights. The Guardian reported that major studios are investing heavily in AI training programs for freelancers to prevent displacement.

Vietnam: OpenGov Asia's 2024 creative industries report shows AI is unlocking projects previously unfeasible due to budget constraints. Vietnamese animators can now produce high-quality character design, backgrounds, and post-production using affordable AI tools, enabling locally grounded storytelling. But VietNamNet's survey found 61% of creative professionals fear routine tasks will be automated before they gain foundational experience, and copyright questions are emerging without clear legal frameworks.

What I'm Learning

The UK's established industry is defensive, protecting jobs through upskilling and IP reform. The British Film Institute is pushing for licensing reforms to prevent AI tools from using copyrighted content without permission.

Vietnam sees AI as expansion. The creative sector is growing, and AI bridges resource gaps that kept Vietnamese animators from competing globally. A TUOI TRE ONLINE report highlighted specialized roles like "AI workflow integrator" appearing in Vietnamese studios.