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Meta Hires VFX Artists Amid AI Concerns and Layoffs

2/23/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Meta Platforms, Inc. has begun recruiting VFX artists in Canada and the United States on short-term contracts to train AI systems for visual effects.
Dennis Berardi, a VFX studio founder, criticized the lack of transparency about AI's future use.
Some studios use AI to boost productivity, while others fear it could replace human roles.
The VFX sector is already facing declining demand, layoffs, and studio closures.

History

Historical Context

Pixar's "Toy Story," released in 1995, marked a pivotal moment as the first fully computer-generated feature film, transforming the visual effects industry. This innovation spurred demand for VFX artists, prompting rapid growth at companies like DreamWorks and Industrial Light & Magic. Today, as Meta Platforms seeks VFX talent for AI training, concerns about job security and industry transparency emerge amid ongoing layoffs and studio closures.

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Story summary

Meta Platforms, Inc. has begun recruiting VFX artists in Canada and the United States on short-term contracts to train AI systems for visual effects.
Dennis Berardi, a VFX studio founder, criticized the lack of transparency about AI's future use.
Some studios use AI to boost productivity, while others fear it could replace human roles.
The VFX sector is already facing declining demand, layoffs, and studio closures.

1 / 2