Netflix Launches Internal AI Animation Studio Called INKubator

Netflix has been building a new internal studio called INKubator that aims to use AI to produce short-form animated content. The company is hiring producers, software engineers, and CG artists for the unit, according to Netflix job listings. INKubator is sometimes referred to as INK in those listings.

INKubator quietly launched in March 2026. Its leadership includes Serrena Iyer, who previously held strategy and operational roles at DreamWorks Animation, MRC Studios, and A24 Films. Netflix has yet to publicly announce the studio's plans.

The streamer acquired InterPositive earlier in 2026. InterPositive is an AI startup founded by Ben Affleck. While that acquisition focused primarily on AI in post-production, INKubator appears intended to go further.

The studio plans to “bridge innovation with imaginative storytelling,” according to the same listing. ” “We aim to develop feature-quality content,” one listing states. INKubator will create animated shorts and specials using experimental GenAI-native production pipelines.

The head of technology will ensure that INK’s technology investments accelerate creative ambition as the company aims to expand into longer-form content. The Verge reported these details in an article published on May 14, 2026 at 3:30 PM UTC. Netflix did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the publication.

The company has made other pushes into AI for production in recent months. YouTube-native studios have been among the first to use generative AI for animation. Animaj, the studio that produces the popular kids show Pocoyo, has been vocal about incorporating AI into its production pipeline since 2024.

Toonstar, maker of the YouTube series StEvEn & Parker, also uses AI. There has also been a significant backlash against the use of AI in animation. ” Labor unions representing animators from multiple countries organized a protest against generative AI at the 2025 Annecy Animation Film Festival.

Efforts to popularize the use of AI for animation beyond Hollywood have also faced setbacks. AI animation company Invisible Universe is shutting down its creator platform Invisible Studio by June 1st. Invisible Universe CEO Tricia Biggio told The Verge in an email this week that her company was focusing on enterprise clients going forward.