Special effects artists and animators create two- and three-dimensional models, images that appear to move, and visual effects for television, movies, video games and other media. Generative AI can now produce images, motion and effects from a prompt, so this is one of the creative jobs where the official outlook names AI directly.
The short answer: AI is changing the work and may slow hiring, but the job is not projected to disappear. The ILO's 2025 index rates graphic and multimedia designers, the closest group, at gradient 2 with a score of 0.49. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects little or no change in employment from 2025 to 2035, with about 4,200 openings a year. Projections are estimates, not guarantees.
How exposed animators are
The International Labour Organization scores occupations' tasks from 0 (cannot be automated with generative AI) to 1 (could be done without a human operator), and groups them into gradients from 1 to 4, with 4 the most exposed; below them sit minimal exposure and not exposed (ILO Working Paper 140, 2025).
| Occupation (ISCO-08) | ILO category | Mean task score (0 to 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic and Multimedia Designers | Gradient 2 | 0.49 |
The ILO scores groups of occupations, so this is the closest group for animators, not a score for the job title itself.
What the BLS projects
| Occupation | Projected change 2025 to 2035 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|
| Special effects artists and animators | Little or no change (0%) | About 4,200 |
The BLS says employment will be supported by demand for animation and visual effects in video games, movies and television. It also says some animation and special effects tasks can be completed more quickly with artificial intelligence, which may dampen demand for the occupation. Most openings are expected to come from replacing workers who change jobs or retire.
What automation is taking on
- Generating concept images, textures and backgrounds from prompts.
- Speeding up in-between frames, cleanup and rotoscoping.
- Producing rough motion and effects passes for an artist to refine.
What stays with animators
- Performance and timing: deciding how a character moves and feels.
- Story and style: keeping a look consistent across a whole project.
- Direction and revision: working with directors and clients on changes.
- Checking AI help: generated images and motion can contain errors or copy others' work, and AI text can be wrong, which NIST calls confabulation (NIST AI 600-1). See checking AI output.
How the job is changing
Studios are folding AI tools into pipelines to work faster, and the BLS expects that to weigh on demand. Animators who can direct these tools and still deliver strong performance, timing and design are better placed. This page is general information, not career advice.
See also will AI replace graphic designers?, will AI replace video editors? and will AI replace artists?
Pay and how to get in
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual pay for multimedia artists and animators at $102,030 in May 2025, against $50,980 for all workers. The typical education needed to enter is: bachelor's degree. See how this job compares in AI exposure by pay and AI exposure by education level.
Questions and answers
Will AI replace animators?
Not on current projections. The BLS projects little or no change in employment from 2025 to 2035, with about 4,200 openings a year.
Does the BLS mention AI for animators?
Yes. It says some animation and special effects tasks can be completed more quickly with AI, which may dampen demand.
How exposed are animators to AI?
The ILO rates graphic and multimedia designers, the closest group, at gradient 2 with a score of 0.49.
What supports demand for animators?
The BLS points to demand for animation and visual effects in video games, movies and television.