Disney's Next 'Wonderland': AI and Mixed Reality
1min read As artificial intelligence technology becomes more mature, global entertainment and culture giant The Walt Disney Company is accelerating the application of this technology across its various departments.
Recently, Disney has formed a new team to coordinate the company's use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and mixed reality and to explore the application of these technologies in its film, television, and theme park departments.
Disney Establishes a New AI Team
It is reported that the newly established Office of Technology Enablement will be led by Disney's Chief Technology Officer, Jamie Voris. Voris has previously developed Disney applications for Apple's Vision Pro mixed reality devices. Eddie Drake will succeed in Voris's CTO position.
"The pace and scope of advances in AI and XR [extended reality] are profound and will continue to impact consumer experiences, creative endeavors, and our business for years to come - making it critical that Disney explore the exciting opportunities and navigate the potential risks," Disney Studios co-chairman Alan Bergman wrote in an email announcing the news.
Bergman pointed out that the department will focus on rapidly developing technology areas such as artificial intelligence and mixed reality, integrating the physical and digital worlds, ensuring that the company's various projects align with its broader strategy.
Voris will report to Bergman. A source revealed that the newly established Office of Technology Enablement will have a core leadership team, with the number of employees expected to increase to about 100.
Disney Has Been Working On Cutting-edge Technology
In fact, The Walt Disney Company has always been at the forefront of utilizing emerging technologies.
Previously, various departments within Disney have been exploring the application of augmented reality, integrating digital elements into the real world. Now, this new team will also study how artificial intelligence technology can be applied in Disney's overall entertainment business.
According to several sources, as Meta and Snap introduce a new generation of lightweight glasses, offering consumers a stylish alternative to bulky VR goggles, Disney has been quietly assembling a team internally to focus on how to best leverage this technology to bring new experiences to the company's theme parks and consumers' homes.
Market research firm IDC's data shows that so far this year, global technology companies have sold approximately 1.7 million AR/VR headset devices. Meta remains the clear market leader, with a 60.5% market share.