AI, Ethics and the Future of Animation — Observatory at the University of Greenwich Industry Partner Network

The conversation around artificial intelligence in creative industries has moved fast. What was speculative two years ago is now a daily reality in studios like ours. At Observatory, we've been working with AI-assisted production for some time — from generative animation workflows to AI-integrated live camera systems — and we believe the most important questions are not just about what the technology can do, but about how we use it responsibly, and what it means for the people who make this work for a living.

In early 2026, Observatory founder Ben Sheppee joined a panel discussion on 'AI, Ethics and Animation' at the University of Greenwich's Animation Industry Partner Network (AIPN). The AIPN is one of the most significant forums for knowledge exchange between the UK's animation industry and the next generation of practitioners.

The event was hosted by the Faculty of Law, Arts and Social Sciences and chaired by Professor Ghislaine Boddington. Panellists included Andrew Schlussel, Senior Director of Training and Development at DNEG, and filmmaker Petra Molnar, alongside Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Natasha Vall. Companies represented included DNEG, Observatory, the London International Animation Festival, Wednesday Studio, Territory Studios, Untold Studios, Animade, D:Fuse and the BBC.

Observatory's Partnership with Greenwich

Observatory has formalised its relationship with the University of Greenwich through a partnership agreement supporting the Animation degree — continuing a collaboration that has developed over several years. This matters to us. The shortage of trained live-event content creators is a genuine industry challenge. As Ben has observed: "You often find your Unreal Engine kids come from courses on videogame design, whereas film courses teach students how to shoot with a camera. What we do often sits in the boundary of art, film and music." (TPi Magazine, May 2022)

AI at Observatory: Practical, Not Theoretical

AI integration is already part of how we work. Our animator Hyeyeon Yoo has been developing experimental workflows that collide live camera feeds with AI image generation using ComfyUI — blurring the boundary between real-time capture and synthetic imagery in ways that open up new creative possibilities for live events and installations. Our position is pragmatic: AI is a tool that expands creative possibility when used with intention and skill.

The ethical questions — around authorship, labour, training data, and the displacement of human craft — are real and deserve honest engagement. That's precisely why forums like the AIPN matter, and why we're glad to be part of that conversation alongside institutions like DNEG and the BBC.

Investing in the Next Generation

Whether through our Greenwich partnership, mentoring animation students, or the course Ben co-developed that took students through the history of visual arts from the 17th century through to modern Resolume and Green Hippo workflows — we're invested in the people who will be making this work in ten years' time. If you're an educator or student interested in what Observatory does, we'd love to hear from you.

Source: University of Greenwich Animation Industry Partner Network, February 2026. See also TPi Magazine — Observatory: The Importance of Content Creation (May 2022).