Walt Disney is forming a new group to manage the use of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and mixed reality while exploring their applications in its film, television, and theme park sectors.
Jamie Voris, who has served as the film studio's chief technology officer and was instrumental in developing Disney's app for the Apple Vision Pro mixed reality device, will lead the new office. Eddie Drake will take over Voris's role as CTO of the film studio, reports Reuters.
Alan Bergman, Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment, emphasized the importance of embracing advancements in AI and XR, stating that these technologies will significantly shape consumer experiences and creative processes in the future. The new office aims to align various projects across the company with a cohesive strategy without centralizing them.
Initially launching with a core leadership team, the Office of Technology Enablement is expected to expand to around 100 employees. Disney has already been assessing how AI can be integrated into its operations and has been building expertise in augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality.
Additionally, Disney is assembling a team to leverage technology for enhancing experiences in its theme parks and consumers' homes, responding to the rising interest in AR/VR headsets, with 1.7 million sold this year. While Meta leads the market with a 60.5% share, competition is intensifying from companies like Sony, Apple, and ByteDance, as Google also hints at a potential return to the AR/VR sector.
Bd-pratidin English/ Afia
