Earlier this year, Walt Disney Company has created a new business unit called the Office of Technology Enablement which will oversee AI and XR at the firm. This action shows Disney’s intent to apply new technologies in all types of entertainment divisions with motion pictures, television, and parks in both production and sales.
Disney's Next Frontier New Tech Hub to Power AI and XR Innovations Across Entertainment
The new division will be run by the current Disney chief technology officer at the film studio, Jamie Voris. Voris has been part of shaping Disney’s technological opportunities, such as working on its application for the Apple Vision Pro – the latest mixed reality headset from Apple. With his appointment in the Office of Technology Enablement, Disney seems keen to increase its stake for future magic in immersive technologies.
Eddie Drake, who was the film studio’s CTO right after Voris, will be responsible for the studio’s basic technology processes. This change in leadership occurs at the right time for Disney as the company readjusts its major players towards new technology advances to best utilize the company’s tremendous resources to create sustainable growth and improvement.
A key takeaway of this segment was an emphasis made by Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment, Alan Bergman, that both AI and XR technologies are to change consumers’ experiences and shape Disney’s creativity. He said that because they are still very young and promising, Disney has no choice but to both seize all the exciting opportunities which these technologies offer and, at the same time, also be prepared for various risks.
The formation of this group is evidence to show that Disney relies more on anticipation in embracing technologies to remained relevant in its entertainment delivery system. This newly formed division is not just about enriching the ways that Disney tells its stories, but is about extending the possibilities for how audiences can engage with Disney content in ever more virtual and experiential ways.
Disney's Tech Evolution New Office to Drive AI and Mixed Reality Across All Divisions
Rapid features in dispelling AI and mixed reality shall be spearheaded by the newly formed Office of Technology Enablement that Disney has established and headed by Jamie Voris. In contrast with the centralized hub, this unit will operate within and across divisions to review and investigate projects to determine whether they have a strategic fit with the future vision of Disney as a company.
A flexibility in its organization created through the unit permits a disjointed but coordinated setup of different departments across Disney such as film, or theme park to work individually on AI and mixed reality projects on their own while still being aligned. This approach is efficient, as it frees up each team to work in whatever way they see best while aligning with Disney’s goals.
Reporting directly to Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman, Jamie Voris will lead this new office, which is projected to grow to a staff of about one hundred, a sensible move on Disney’s part to assert itself in new media. The team’s development proves the company’s commitment to maintaining the status of the entertainment technology leader.
Disney has a keen interest in AI and XR; a year ago even a task force was launched to assess AI applicability in all Disney segments. This unit is logical to move to and Disney is ready for it due to the potential AI holds in storytelling, production and interactional techniques that make the entertainment business more efficient and exciting.
As experience in augmented reality, virtual reality, and embodied augmented reality grow across Disney, the company is ready for these emerging technologies. Combining the digital with the physical, Disney’s goal is to develop exceptional shared experiences that redefine entertainment experiences in the contemporary context.
Disney’s Visionary Comeback Inside the AR and VR Innovations Shaping the Future of Theme Parks
Kyle Laughlin who has worked in Disney for over 8 years specialization in AR, VR & AI re-joined Disney as SVP of Research and Development at Walt Disney Imagineering this year. His position is focused on heading Disney’s initiatives to advance and develop it’s theme parks, and improve visitor experience.
Disney has been in the process of building a small dedicated unit tasked with designing lightweight fashionable AR glasses as a viable alternative to VR headsets. To this end, this team is tasked with the responsibility of incorporating those technologies into interesting themes that will engage guests at the theme parks as well as viewers at home.
Today AR/VR is gaining popularity year by year and the number of sold headsets this year according to IDC is 1.7 million. Meta’s revenue market share remains at 60.5% in this market; however, competition is tightening with companies like Sony, Apple, and ByteDance emerging to signify fast growth in this market.
When it comes to creating new-generation AR glasses, firms such as Meta and Snap are currently spearheading the market, and herein, Disney finds new ways to create even higher end, engaging experiences. Thus, Disney keeps in step with these technologies in order to define new entertainment opportunities in its parks and online services.
The AR/VR landscape is development rapidly therefore major players like Google may re-enter the market. Disney has a specialized team who ensures the company is poised to leverage on these inventions, integrate hi-tech ways of telling stories and capturing the consumers’ attention.
