The movie, titled “Critterz,” follows woodland creatures on an adventure after their village is disrupted by a stranger, with producers hoping to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2026 before a global theatrical release, they said in statement on Monday.
The project has a budget of under $30 million and a production timeline of just nine months: a fraction of the typical $100-200 million cost and three-year development cycle for major animated features.
“Critterz” originated as a short film by Chad Nelson, a creative specialist at OpenAI, who began developing the concept three years ago using the company’s DALL-E image generation tool.
Nelson has partnered with London-based Vertigo Films and Los Angeles studio Native Foreign to expand the project into a full-length feature.
“OpenAI can say what its tools do all day long, but it’s much more impactful if someone does it,” Nelson said in the news release. “That’s a much better case study than me building a demo.”
The production will blend AI technology with human work.
Artists will draw sketches that are fed into OpenAI’s tools, including GPT-5 and image-generating models, while human actors will voice the characters.
The script was written by some of the same writers behind the successful “Paddington in Peru.”
However the project comes amid intense legal battles between Hollywood studios and AI companies over intellectual property rights.
Major studios including Disney, Universal and Warner Bros. Discovery have filed copyright infringement lawsuits against AI firm Midjourney, alleging the company illegally trained its models on their characters.
The film is funded by Vertigo’s Paris-based parent company, Federation Studios, with about 30 contributors sharing profits through a specialised compensation model.
Critterz will not be the first animated feature film made with generative AI.
In 2024, “DreadClub: Vampire’s Verdict,” considered the first AI animated feature film and made with a budget of $405, was released, as well as “Where the Robots Grow.”
Those releases, as well as the original “Critterz” short film, received mixed reactions from viewers, with some critics questioning whether current AI technology can produce cinema-quality content that resonates emotionally with audiences.
In the wake of Microsoft’s sweeping layoffs that affected thousands of employees, an Xbox executive’s ill-timed suggestion to use artificial intelligence for emotional support has ignited a firestorm of criticism across the tech industry. Matt Turnbull, a producer at Xbox Game Studios, posted on LinkedIn advising laid-off workers to leverage AI tools like ChatGPT or Microsoft’s Copilot to manage the psychological toll of job loss. He even provided sample prompts, such as one for dealing with imposter syndrome, before swiftly deleting the message amid backlash.
The incident unfolded shortly after Microsoft announced the elimination of around 9,000 positions, part of a broader restructuring that has seen over 15,000 jobs cut in 2025 alone, according to reports from The Verge. This move aligns with the company’s aggressive pivot toward AI investments, earmarking $80 billion for infrastructure and development this year, as detailed in analyses from Mashable.
The Human Cost of Corporate Restructuring
Turnbull’s recommendation struck a nerve because it appeared tone-deaf, especially given Microsoft’s promotion of AI as a productivity booster that some fear is accelerating job displacements. Former employees expressed outrage on social platforms, highlighting the irony of turning to the very technology that may have contributed to their redundancies for solace. Posts on X, formerly Twitter, captured this sentiment, with users decrying the executive’s advice as emblematic of Big Tech’s detachment from workforce realities.
Broader context reveals Microsoft’s layoffs are not isolated; they follow a pattern seen across the sector. The Seattle Times corroborated that these cuts are tied to bolstering AI capabilities, including partnerships with OpenAI, amid investor pressures to secure dominance in the field. This has led to internal memos, as leaked and reported by insider sources like Aftermath, suggesting AI replacements for roles in divisions like King, the maker of Candy Crush.
AI as Both Culprit and Cure?
Critics argue that suggesting AI for emotional recovery underscores a deeper issue: companies like Microsoft are prioritizing technological advancement over human welfare. BBC News highlighted the backlash, noting how Turnbull’s post was seen as insensitive, particularly as Microsoft touts tools like Copilot for therapeutic uses in other contexts. Industry observers point out that this isn’t the first time Microsoft has pushed AI in unconventional ways, but the timing here amplified perceptions of corporate callousness.
Reactions on X have been particularly vocal, with posts from users like tech insiders and laid-off workers amplifying the narrative that AI investments are coming at the expense of jobs. One widely viewed thread discussed how Microsoft’s $80 billion AI spend contrasts sharply with severance packages, fueling debates about ethical responsibilities in tech. Publications such as TechRadar delved into how executives encouraged using AI for duties that laid-off staff once handled, blurring lines between innovation and exploitation.
Industry-Wide Implications and Future Outlook
The controversy has broader ramifications for how tech giants navigate the AI era. Analysts from PC Gamer described it as a case of “terminal LinkedIn brain,” where professional networking platitudes clash with real-world hardships. This incident comes amid Microsoft’s hiring for new Xbox roles, ironically using AI-generated images in job postings, as noted in India Today.
Looking ahead, experts predict more turbulence as AI integration deepens. Reports from The Times of India suggest that while AI offers tools for career planning, its role in layoffs raises questions about accountability. For industry insiders, this episode serves as a cautionary tale: as companies like Microsoft chase AI supremacy, they must balance technological ambition with empathy for those left behind. The ongoing discourse on platforms like Reddit’s r/Games, with thousands of comments, underscores a growing demand for transparency in how AI reshapes employment dynamics.
Echoes of Broader Tech Shifts
Similar patterns emerge in other firms, with X posts revealing over 100,000 tech jobs lost in 2025, many redirected toward AI and automation. Microsoft’s case, however, stands out due to its gaming arm’s visibility and the personal nature of Turnbull’s advice. As one X user noted in a viral post, the push for AI in everything from game development to emotional support risks alienating talent pools essential for innovation.
Ultimately, this saga reflects the tensions inherent in rapid technological evolution. While Microsoft defends its investments as necessary for future growth, the human stories of displacement demand a more nuanced approach. Insiders watching from afar will note that true leadership in AI requires not just code and capital, but a commitment to the people powering the progress.
NVIDIA has formed a major partnership with Black Tech Street to develop Tulsa’s historic Greenwood District into a national artificial intelligence center, marking a significant economic development initiative for the area once known as Black Wall Street.
Partnership Overview and Goals
The collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding, aims to train up to 10,000 people in AI technologies while supporting local startups and positioning Tulsa as a leader in artificial intelligence innovation. The initiative centers on creating the Greenwood AI Center of Excellence within the district that was devastated by the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
“This is going to have an incredible impact on Tulsa,” said Terrance Billingsley II, CEO of Black Tech Street. “NVIDIA is the most valuable company in the world, leading the most important technological revolution in human history.”
The partnership leverages Tulsa’s recent designation as a federal Tech Hub, which awarded the city $51 million from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. Of that funding, $10.6 million will specifically support the AI center development.
Comprehensive Training and Education Program
The initiative’s training component will reach across multiple educational institutions and community organizations. Partners include Langston University, Tulsa Community College, and Oklahoma State University, creating a comprehensive educational ecosystem for AI development.
Educators will receive certification through the NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute University Ambassador Program, providing access to cloud-based tools powered by NVIDIA GPUs. This infrastructure aims to ensure high-quality, standardized training across participating institutions.
The 10,000-person training target represents an ambitious scale that could significantly impact Tulsa’s workforce development. The program plans to serve students, workers, and entrepreneurs throughout the region, creating multiple pathways for AI skill development.
Economic Development and Startup Support
Beyond education, the partnership includes substantial business development components. NVIDIA will provide local startups access to its Inception program, which offers early-stage companies technology support and networking opportunities crucial for growth in competitive tech markets.
The collaboration also includes access to advanced computing resources, including GPUs and cloud platforms essential for AI development projects. These resources typically require significant capital investment, making the partnership valuable for local entrepreneurs and researchers.
Billingsley emphasized the local economic focus: “The next step is getting NVIDIA integrated into the community, getting certain programs up and running for people to take advantage of, hosting different events, and trying to architect what the big play that is going to transform our local economy is going to be.”
Strategic Location and Historical Significance
The choice of Greenwood District for this initiative carries particular historical weight. The area was once known as Black Wall Street, representing one of the most prosperous Black communities in early 20th-century America before its destruction in the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
This partnership positions AI development within a community that has symbolic importance for Black economic empowerment and entrepreneurship. The initiative aims to create high-paying tech jobs and drive entrepreneurship in an area working to rebuild its economic foundation.
Political and Community Support
The partnership has garnered support from political leaders across party lines. U.S. Senator James Lankford highlighted Oklahoma’s growing technology profile: “Oklahoma is fast becoming a national leader in next-generation innovation, from AI to aerospace and beyond. Whether it is in Tulsa or across the state, Oklahoma is proving that you do not have to be on the coasts to be on the cutting edge.”
Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols expressed enthusiasm for the economic opportunities: “NVIDIA and Black Tech Street are setting the stage for new jobs for Tulsans, and I am eager to see how this investment in innovation will open more doors of opportunity for our community.”
Building on Tulsa’s Remote Work Success
This AI initiative builds upon Tulsa’s proven track record in attracting talent through innovative programs. The city’s Tulsa Remote program, which offers $10,000 grants to remote workers who relocate to the city, has successfully attracted approximately 3,500 participants since 2018.
Recent economic analysis found that Tulsa Remote generates more than $4 in community benefits for every $1 spent, demonstrating the city’s ability to create successful workforce attraction programs. Participants have collectively generated $622 million in direct employment income, with 70% remaining in the city after completing the program.
Industry Partnership Framework
Louis Stewart, NVIDIA’s head of ecosystem development, emphasized the collaborative approach: “Our collaboration with Black Tech Street and the larger Tulsa ecosystem is helping prepare and equip all segments of the workforce to operate and sustain transformative technology that is building America’s future.”
The partnership extends beyond NVIDIA and Black Tech Street to include Tulsa Innovation Labs, Microsoft, Langston University, and the Tulsa Economic Development Corporation. This multi-stakeholder approach aims to create a comprehensive support system for AI development and adoption.
Future Expansion Potential
The agreement establishes a foundation for potential expansion across Oklahoma, suggesting the initiative could serve as a model for other communities seeking to develop AI capabilities. The collaborative framework developed in Tulsa could be replicated in other regions working to participate in the artificial intelligence economy.
The partnership represents a significant investment in both Tulsa’s economic future and the broader democratization of AI education and development opportunities beyond traditional tech centers.
