This study methodically investigates the applicability of the Network Data Envelopment Analysis (NDEA) model to assess the efficiency impacts of integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into animation production, emphasizing the model’s adaptability and its potential as groundwork for future research in this innovative intersection. As AI integration in animation production promises significant efficiency improvements, the industry faces challenges in quantitatively assessing these impacts due to the complexity and multifaceted nature of animation workflows. This research aims to bridge this methodological gap by precisely locating and adopting the most appropriate NDEA model, providing the animation production space with a tailored efficiency assessment framework to evaluate the efficiency impact of AI. Through literature review, model selection and adaptation, and empirical evaluation, this study confirms the suitability of the NDEA model, especially after specific adjustments, for examining the efficiency impacts of AI in animation production. The research not only enriches the academic discourse on efficiency measurement in creative industries but also lays a foundational stone for future investigations, offering a clearer path toward integrating AI in creative processes.