Pixar’s Donald Brooks Says Human Creativity Is Still The Industry’s Greatest Technology As ‘Toy Story 5’ Tackles Modern Tech

June 13, 2026 - 01:05

When audiences head to theaters for Toy Story 5 on June 19, they will see Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, and a new generation of toys navigating a world increasingly shaped by technology. But according to Pixar's Donald Brooks, the real magic behind the film does not come from any new software or rendering breakthrough. It comes from people.

In a recent discussion, Brooks argued that human creativity is still the industry's greatest technology. He warned against relying too heavily on AI or automated tools to generate story and emotion. "No machine can replace the lived experience, the empathy, or the gut instinct of a storyteller," Brooks said. He emphasized that while computers can simulate light and texture, they cannot simulate a childhood memory or the ache of being forgotten.

Toy Story 5 directly explores this tension. The new characters include digital-native toys that connect to apps and smart devices, forcing the classic gang to adapt. Brooks noted that the film asks a simple question: what happens when a toy's purpose is no longer to be played with, but to be a screen? The answer, he suggested, is found not in code, but in the messy, unpredictable heart of human imagination.

Brooks also praised the animators and writers who spent years refining the story. He called them the true "technology" behind Pixar's success. As the studio pushes forward, Brooks believes the key is to use digital tools without letting them take the lead. "The best tool is a person who cares," he said. "That will never go out of style."