Autodesk CEO sees AI job losses in VFX as more immediate threat

At Autodesk University 2026, CEO Andrew Anagnost said the main AI threat to artists is not human extinction but job cuts in VFX. Tools like Maya, MotionMaker and Flow Studio boost efficiency, meaning fewer specialists are needed per film.

• Anagnost called talk of 10% AI extinction risk political theater
• Autodesk adds AI to Maya and develops Flow Studio for small teams
• Higher tool efficiency means fewer FX artists needed per film
• Company expects studios to produce more content, not cut teams