CGI vs AI: Why the Line Matters Less Than You Think
Research
2026-11-10
People still ask if something is AI or CGI.
Our take, as of today: we don't really see it as that different a question. Not in how we approach a creative project.
Why the Background Still Matters
Having a traditional CGI background lets us assess a project's commercial scope better, even running it through an agentic AI workflow now.
The craft doesn't disappear because the tool changed. Lighting, composition, knowing when a shot actually works. That still comes from the CGI years.
We've Been Here Before
Back in the day, visual effects movies hit a point where people genuinely couldn't tell if an explosion was a real shot or CGI.
Same question today, just pointed at AI. Is this AI or not AI.
When the Question Stops Mattering
Both CGI and AI exist to serve the same thing. They let us be more efficient and more ambitious about what we produce.
Eventually, when the work is seamless and just good, people stop asking how it was made.
That happened with CGI. It'll happen with AI too.
What This Looks Like in Our Work
A mix of CGI craft and AI-accelerated workflow across recent projects.
See the full AI-assisted portfolio here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is AI replacing CGI?
Not really. It's changing the process more than it's replacing the craft. CGI skills like lighting, composition, and shot reading still matter, AI just changes how fast you get there.
2. Does a CGI background still matter if you use AI tools?
Yes. It's actually an advantage. Knowing how a shot should look and feel lets you judge an AI-generated result the same way you'd judge a CGI render, and catch what's off faster.
3. How do you decide when to use AI vs CGI on a project?
It comes down to what the project needs to prove and what timeline and budget you're working with. Some briefs still need full CGI control. Others move faster through an AI-assisted workflow. Most of our projects use both.
4. Is it cheaper to go the AI route instead of CGI?
Cheaper isn't really the right way to look at it. The bigger shift is what the same budget can now stretch to cover. AI can replace heavy production steps, like set builds or location shoots, so the same marketing dollar goes further when it's used right. CGI can still make more sense for smaller, simpler scenes where building out a full AI pipeline isn't worth it. We look at it project by project, not as a blanket rule.