Walt Disney is launching a new unit to oversee the company’s use of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and mixed reality, as the media conglomerate investigates uses across its film, television, and theme park businesses.
The Office of Technology Enablement will help improve Disney’s creative output, with a focus on post-production and visual effects, as well as non-customer-facing aspects of parks and experiences, according to people with knowledge of the topic.
Jamie Voris, who helped design Disney’s software for the Apple Vision Pro mixed reality gadget, will manage the new unit.
According to Reuters, an internal communication from Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman disclosed that the formation of this group reflects Disney’s desire to not only capitalise on the opportunities that AI and extended reality (XR) provide, but also handle their potential concerns.
Eddie Drake will succeed Voris as the studio’s CTO.
The rapid expansion of AI has produced a variety of difficulties and concerns in the entertainment business, particularly those related to job security and intellectual property.
Last year, Hollywood actors and writers went on strike for months, citing concerns about the rising use of AI to write text and make images.
This tech-forward strategy extends to Disney’s renowned Imagineering division, which designs theme park attractions. Kyle Laughlin, an experienced Disney executive in AR, VR, and AI, returned to Disney in March as Senior Vice President of Research and Development for Imagineering after a brief stint at Amazon’s Alexa Gadgets business.
His comeback highlights Disney’s desire to push the envelope in the AR and VR worlds.
We earlier reported that Customers of DirecTV will once again have access to Disney channels according to an agreement in principle reached between the Walt Disney Company and DirecTV.
