AI Creates New Tom and Jerry Short, Sparking Online Debate
A new AI-generated Tom and Jerry short has captured netizen’s attention raising discussions around artificial intelligence’s growing role in the creative industry. The one-minute video, created entirely by AI, depicts a modern take on the classic cartoon and has has gone viral across social media.
The animated short was produced using TTT-MLP, an advanced AI model developed by Stanford University and NVIDIA. The technology is capable of generating full animated clips from simple text prompts. In this instance, the prompt was: “Tom chases Jerry through NYC office chaos.” The final output reimagines the traditional cat-and-mouse dynamic, setting the chase in a bustling office environment in New York City.
A Familiar Formula in a New Setting
The video opens with Tom arriving at an office, taking the elevator, and settling at his desk. Chaos ensues when Jerry, staying true to character, disrupts the workplace by tampering with a wire, triggering a classic chase sequence. While the animation captures the essence of the original series, its AI-generated nature reveals noticeable technical glitches.
Despite its flaws, the video is being praised as a major step forward in generative media. The ability to create animated sequences from simple text input shows how content creation could evolve in the future, including for classic shows like Tom and Jerry.
Public Reaction
The release has generated mixed reactions online. While many users are impressed with the progress of AI animation, especially following the recent popularity of Ghibli-style AI avatars, others are expressing concern.
Critics have described the video as “visually intriguing but emotionally flat,” citing animation glitches and a lack of creative depth. Many within the animation and art community fear that such tools could eventually displace professional animators and illustrators, especially those with distinct styles and years of training.
“There’s a clear novelty to it,” one artist commented online, “but we need to ask what this means for original storytelling and artistic integrity in the long run.”
On the other side of the debate, supporters view the development as an early step in a longer evolution. They argue that the technology, while not yet perfect, has the potential to democratize animation and open creative opportunities for independent creators or those without access to traditional resources.
“There’s room for both,” said a digital content creator. “Traditional animation and AI-generated content can co-exist—each serving different audiences and purposes.” Netizens are concerned that Tom and Jerry may never be the same again
Tech Leaders Weigh In
The discussion comes at a time when major figures in the tech world are voicing strong opinions about AI’s rapid expansion. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and computer scientist Geoffrey Hinton, often referred to as the “Godfather of AI,” have both warned of upcoming shifts in employment, education, and content creation.
Hinton recently suggested that universities themselves could face disruption as AI-powered tutors become more advanced. With generative AI now extending into visual storytelling, those predictions appear increasingly plausible.