byMatthew Benson
Published: Nov 15, 2026, 15:20
@Comic / Instagram
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Alvin and the Chipmunks is at the centre of controversy, with fans furious about the franchise’s use of artificial intelligence across its YouTube content.
A new Alvin and the Chipmunks movie is slated to release in 2028. To promote the film, a photo of Alvin circulated on social media. Immediately, some fans suspected it may be AI-generated and were unhappy.
Since then, copyright owners Ross Bagdasarian Jr., Janice Karman, and Michael Bagdasarian, debunked the claims that the franchise is turning to artificial intelligence and vowed it would not be used for the movie. However, the official YouTube account is seemingly turning to AI for its content.
Fans are boycotting the AATC channel
In a video posted by Munk Media, a YouTube account discussing news of the franchise, they shared that the account had begun a practice of using AI to generate its channel banners and thumbnails.
While some fans were frustrated with this practice, it was argued by others that thumbnails are merely a marketing tactic, and the use of AI to generate them is something you could “look past and move on from.”
However, a new video of nursery rhyme Wheels on the Bus, featuring “Lil Alvin and the Chipmunks”, appears to be entirely AI-generated.
Munk Media’s video highlights the telling signs that the video is AI-generated, including inconsistent character and vehicle designs that change from shot to shot, as well as glitched motion and layering.
Furious fans are actively boycotting the channel, encouraging members of the community to unsubscribe and avoid watching the new video.
Do NOT watch the new youtube video. Do NOT give them views. Unsubscribe from the channel. We have more class than this.
— ChipmunkMania (@chipmunk_mania) <a href="https://comicvibe.com/news-release-november-13-2026/” title=”News Release: November 13, 2026″>November 13, 2026
Despite fans being promised that AI would not be used in the franchise, this appears to be the first time an official release carrying the Alvin and the Chipmunks name has been generated using AI, leaving fans nervous for its future.
