WeAnimate 2026-01-20 | wam#00XX

Curiosity Before Conclusions

Artificial intelligence has quickly become one of the most debated subjects in animation. Often framed in extremes—either as a creative breakthrough or an existential threat—it leaves little room for nuance. For filmmaker, researcher, and educator Uri Kranot, nuance is exactly where the conversation needs to begin.

At WeAnimate Day 2025, Kranot spoke about his ongoing experimentation with generative tools, not as a finished methodology, but as an open investigation.

“We can use the word AI—some find it a bad word. I’m quite curious about it… there are no conclusions, it’s only thoughts.”

 

– Uri Kranot

Balancing Roles: Filmmaker and Educator

Kranot’s approach to AI is deeply informed by the dual roles he occupies in the field. As both a practicing filmmaker and an educator at The Animation Workshop, he is acutely aware that experimentation carries responsibility.

“I think I have these two hats, one of the filmmaker and one of the educator, and I think there’s a lot of responsibility in both.”

For Kranot, this responsibility is especially important in an educational context. New technologies are already shaping professional workflows, and avoiding them does not prepare students for the realities of the industry.

Why Investigation Matters Now

Rather than taking a position for or against AI, Kranot argues for direct engagement. Understanding what these tools offer—and where their limitations lie—is, in his view, a prerequisite for meaningful guidance.

“I’m pretty sure that now is the time to investigate, with the responsibility of educating young talents and leading them into the industry.”

This investigative mindset prioritizes experience over speculation, allowing educators and creators alike to make informed decisions.

AI as a Creative Companion

Central to Kranot’s work is a clear distinction between assistance and authorship. In his own tests, AI tools are positioned as technical helpers rather than creative decision-makers.

“I’m looking at AI as a creative companion, as a tool that can help you or enhance your creativity and not replace your creativity.”

Across research, teaching, and filmmaking, Kranot consistently returns to the same principle: technology may evolve rapidly, but storytelling, authorship, and responsibility remain fundamentally human.