Walt Disney Launches Specialized AI and Augmented Reality Unit
Disney has established a new department focused on emerging technologies such as AI and mixed reality, aiming to revolutionize its cinematic, television, and theme park experiences with a lasting impact on its operations.
Technological Emergence at Disney
Entertainment giant Walt Disney (DIS.N) is forming a specialized group to harness emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and mixed reality. These technological advancements will be integrated across the company’s film, television, and theme park divisions.
The Office of Technology Enablement: A Hub for Innovation
The newly established department, named “Office of Technology Enablement”, will be led by Jamie Voris, formerly the head of technology at Disney’s film studio, who oversaw the development of the Disney app for the Apple Vision Pro mixed reality device. Eddie Drake will now take over Voris’s former role as the studio’s CTO.
In an email disclosed last Friday and provided to Reuters, Alan Bergman, co-chair of Disney Entertainment, emphasized the significant impact of AI and extended reality (XR) advancements. “They are profound and will continue to impact consumer experiences, our creative endeavors, and our operations in the years ahead.” wrote Bergman. Voris will report directly to Bergman within this new innovation-focused group.
Expanding into Augmented Reality… and Beyond
Disney has been actively expanding its initiatives in augmented reality (AR), which overlays digital elements onto the real world, and virtual reality (VR), which immerses users in a simulated environment. Increasing its expertise in emerging technologies, the company recently brought back Kyle Laughlin, an expert in AR, VR, and AI, as the senior vice president of research and development for Walt Disney Imagineering.
Behind the scenes, Disney is also building a dedicated team to optimize the use of these technologies, aiming to create new experiences both in its theme parks and at home. The market for AR and VR headsets, still dominated by Meta, is expected to reach nearly 1.7 million units sold this year alone, according to IDC.