Research Insight: Developing Ethical & Accessible AI Storyboarding Tools for Creative Industries
As AI tools continue reshaping creative workflows, storyboarding is emerging as one of the most promising areas for innovation. Breda university of Applied Sciences, one of AICI’s project partners, has been exploring how artificial intelligence can support early-stage visual development through their prototype tool, Plots; an AI-powered system capable of generating animated storyboards with dynamic camera movements.
Originally explored in the “Knowledge Gem” published on the Cradle Buas website, Mauro Gennesse investigates not only how creative professionals respond to Plots in its early form, but also what the tool needs in order to be adopted responsibly and effectively across the creative industries.
This research provides valuable insights into how AI storyboarding tools can be developed, positioned, and distributed ethically at a moment when video production pipelines are rapidly evolving.
Understanding User Needs Through Qualitative Research
The study draws on in-depth interviews with eight professionals working in creative business roles. Each participant engaged with an early version of Plots and shared candid reflections on usability, appeal, and ethical expectations. While the sample size was small, this qualitative approach enabled the team to reach thematic saturation, producing rich insights into how AI tools may fit into the workflows of students, educators, and small production companies.
One of the clearest findings to emerge was the strong appeal of accessibility. Many early-career creatives lack the drawing skills, technical background, or financial resources to produce traditional storyboards. For these users, Plots offers a meaningful way to visualise ideas quickly, iterate on concepts, and experiment without the pressure of producing polished artwork. The possibility of exporting animated sequences introduces an additional layer of creative value, helping users communicate movement, pacing, and camera direction earlier in the production process.
A Tool Designed for Emerging Creatives
Across interviews, participants consistently emphasised that Plots would be especially valuable for students, schools, and young creatives, as well as small-scale production teams working with tight budgets. For these groups, ease of use and affordability are not optional—they are essential.
The research suggests that Plots could fill a crucial gap in the market by offering a low-cost, intuitive entry point for visual storytelling. Some participants even proposed institutional licensing as a way to ensure students can benefit from the tool without facing financial barriers, positioning Plots as an educational resource as much as a professional one.
This focus on accessibility also shapes the development priorities for the tool. Participants described the importance of a professional-looking interface, improvements to image and animation quality, and a more instinctive workflow. These refinements are not merely aesthetic; they influence whether creative professionals view AI-generated storyboards as legitimate components of their production process.
Ethical Transparency: A Non-Negotiable Requirement
The study also reveals that ethical considerations play a major role in users’ willingness to adopt AI tools in creative settings. Participants expressed particular concern about how Plots was trained, where its data originated, and whether the system respects the work of artists whose content may have been used to train its model.
This is a recurring theme across the wider AI landscape, and it highlights the need for clear communication. Participants were not asking for technical whitepapers; rather, they wanted transparency—an honest explanation of what data the tool relies on and how it aligns with principles of fair use. This aligns closely with growing expectations for responsible AI in creative industries.
Another ethical dimension that surfaced was the fear that AI tools could replace human artists. Although Plots is designed as a support tool for ideation, professionals emphasised the importance of positioning it clearly as an enhancer of creative work, not as a substitute. Users felt more comfortable when the tool was framed as enabling experimentation, rapid iteration, and clearer communication between teams, rather than replacing specialist visual skills.
Opportunities for Growth and Future Development
While the prototype generated enthusiasm, users also identified a range of enhancements that would increase its value. These included the ability to edit prompts and images, upload custom artwork, collaborate with team members, and integrate with industry-standard software. Features like these would help Plots fit naturally into existing production pipelines, bridging the gap between concept generation and professional previsualisation tools.
Participants also recommended continued research once the tool reaches a more advanced stage of development. Testing Plots in a realistic production environment would generate more grounded insights and help refine pricing strategies, especially given the competitive landscape of AI visual tools.
A Path Forward for Ethical AI in Storyboarding
Perhaps the most encouraging finding from this research is that creative professionals are open to using AI-assisted storyboarding tools, provided they meet expectations around quality, usability, and ethics. Plots’ ability to generate animated sequences gives it a distinctive space in the market, and its focus on accessibility aligns closely with the needs of emerging creatives.
The broader takeaway for the creative industries is clear: AI tools hold significant promise in early-stage ideation, but their adoption depends on responsible design, transparent communication, and meaningful support for human creativity. As Plots continues to evolve, it demonstrates how AI can contribute to a more accessible and innovative future for creative storytelling—without compromising the artists and educators who bring these stories to life.
