Jean-Marc (JM) Khayat, the co-founder and creative director of Moondog Animation Studios, brings over 30 years of industry experience to his insightful presentation, “Hey Dad, Are We There Yet? What I’ve Learned Using AI in Animation So Far”. Having navigated multiple technological shifts throughout his career working on properties like Pets United and Garfield, JM provided a candid look at the current realities of AI in film production. He showcased a one-minute pilot for the series Pom Pam and Cranny, demonstrating a hybrid workflow where execution elements like lighting, rendering, and VFX were generated by AI, while the foundational storytelling—including scripts, storyboards, and voice acting—remained 100% human-led. JM emphasized that while AI is a powerful new production category, it is not a “magic wand” and actually requires extensive human iteration and control to maintain high quality. Most importantly, he reminded the audience that viewers care about emotional impact rather than the production pipeline; because AI lacks a soul, it requires human creators inspired by the Holy Spirit to craft stories that truly touch the human heart and bring glory to God.