Industry

Banijay Kids & Family has entered into a strategic research and development partnership with Toon Boom Animation aimed at accelerating the practical adoption of artificial intelligence across animation production workflows. The collaboration will combine Banijay Kids & Family’s production expertise with Toon Boom’s software capabilities to co-develop new tools and features for Harmony and Storyboard Pro, two of the animation industry's most widely used platforms.
As part of the agreement, Banijay Kids & Family will receive early access to upcoming AI beta functionalities and greater visibility into Toon Boom’s long-term product roadmap. The company will also provide production content and studio environments to test and validate emerging tools under real-world conditions, while its creative teams will contribute ongoing feedback throughout the development process.

The partnership places a strong emphasis on creator protection and responsible AI implementation. According to the companies, Banijay Kids & Family content will not be used to train Toon Boom’s AI models, with all materials restricted to testing and validation within a secure and segregated environment.

“Rather than waiting for off-the-shelf AI tools, we want to be at the forefront of evolving our own solutions. The ambition is to enhance rather than disrupt the creative and address the growing demand for faster and more efficient pipelines. Choosing Toon Boom as our partner was key, as its software solutions have long been developed with deep respect for the artists, technicians, and creative workflows that define our sector. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to empowering creatives, accelerating innovation, and setting new standards for responsible AI adoption across the global animation industry,” said Benoît Di Sabatino, CEO, Banijay Kids & Family.
“At Toon Boom, we've always built our tools in close dialogue with the artists and studios who use them. This partnership with Banijay Kids & Family deepens that commitment, giving us direct, real-world feedback loops to shape the next generation of Ember AI features in Harmony and Storyboard Pro. Together, we're demonstrating that responsible AI adoption and creative ambition can go hand in hand,” added Colin Bohm, CEO, Toon Boom Animation.

The initiative reflects a broader trend across the animation sector, where studios and technology providers are increasingly exploring AI-powered solutions designed to improve efficiency while preserving creative control. By participating directly in the development process, Banijay Kids & Family is positioning itself at the forefront of efforts to define how AI is integrated into professional animation pipelines.