Disney Launches New Tech Hub to Spearhead AI and AR Integration Across Its Entertainment Empire

Disney Creates New Tech Hub For AI and AR - Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS)

New Disney tech office, led by CTO Jamie Voris, to expand immersive experiences in film and parks Walt Disney Co DIS has announced the creation of a new group, the Office of Technology Enablement (OTE), dedicated to guiding the company's approach to emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and extended reality (XR). This initiative seeks to integrate advanced tech across Disney's entertainment operations, including film, television, and theme parks. The new office, led by Disney's Chief Technology Officer Jamie Voris, will leverage these technologies to improve consumer experiences while aligning projects with Disney's overall strategy, Deadline reports. Also Read: Deadpool & Wolverine Grosses $824M Globally, Disney Hits $3B Milestone: Report The Office of Technology Enablement plans to build a team of around 100 employees to support Disney's technological advancement initiatives, Reuters reports. Disney's Office of Technology Enablement will coordinate projects in fast-developing areas like AI and extended reality (XR), including virtual and augmented reality. Disney has been building expertise across its divisions, adding talent like Kyle Laughlin, a former Amazon executive with experience in augmented and virtual reality, who rejoined Disney earlier this year as the SVP of research and development at Walt Disney Imagineering. This division is instrumental in designing and enhancing Disney's theme park attractions, now with a strong focus on immersive tech. Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman told Deadline that Disney is preparing for the transformative impact AI and XR will likely have on consumer experiences and creative projects. As part of this shift, Eddie Drake will take over as the studio's CTO, allowing Voris to concentrate fully on the tech office's expansion and coordination efforts. Walt Disney Co. appointed James P. Gorman as the new Chairman of the Board, effective January 2, 2025. Gorman will succeed Mark G. Parker, who has served for nine years. Parker will step down the same day, while Gorman will conclude his role as Executive Chairman of Morgan Stanley at year-end. Currently leading Disney's Succession Planning Committee, Gorman is guiding efforts to select the company's next CEO, with an announcement expected in early 2026. During Disney's second-quarter earnings call, CEO Bob Iger confirmed that the board, through a dedicated committee, is actively managing his succession. Disney reported fiscal third-quarter 2024 revenue growth of 4% to $23.16 billion, beating the consensus estimate of $23.11 billion. Entertainment revenue increased by 4% to $10.58 billion, mainly driven by Disney+ Core. Sports revenue grew 5% to $4.56 billion. Experiences revenue increased 2% to $8.39 billion. Price Actions: DIS stock traded lower by 0.23% at $95.59 at the last check on Monday. Also Read: AdTech Stock Magnite Gains as Disney Renews Key Deal, Expands ESPN and Podcast Offerings This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

Walt Disney Forms Business Unit to Coordinate Use of AI, Augmented Reality

The Office of Technology Enablement will grow to about 100 employees Walt Disney is forming a new group to coordinate the company's use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and mixed reality, as the media giant explores applications across its film, television and theme park divisions. The newly formed Office of Technology Enablement will be led by Jamie Voris, the film studio's chief technology officer who spearheaded development of Disney's app for the Apple Vision Pro mixed reality device, an email seen on Friday by Reuters showed. Eddie Drake will succeed Voris as the studio's CTO. "The pace and scope of the advances in AI and XR (extended reality) are profound and will continue to impact consumer experiences, creative endeavors and our businesses for years to come - making it critical that Disney explore the exciting opportunities and navigate the potential risks," Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman wrote. "The creation of this group underscores our dedication to doing that." Bergman noted the unit will focus on fast-moving areas of technology, such as AI and mixed reality, which blends the physical and digital worlds. It will not centralize work on these projects, but rather, ensure the various projects around the company fit with its broader strategy. Voris will report to Bergman. The Office of Technology Enablement, which launches with a core leadership team, is expected to grow to about 100 employees, a person familiar with the matter said. Reuters first reported Disney had formed a task force to study artificial intelligence and how it could be applied across the entertainment conglomerate. Various divisions within Disney are exploring applications for augmented reality, which places digital elements into the real world; virtual reality, which immerses the user in a simulated environment; and mixed reality, which combines both. Disney has been building expertise across the organization to capitalize on the emerging technology. For example, Kyle Laughlin, a Disney veteran with a background in augmented and virtual reality and AI, returned to the company in March as senior vice president of research and development for Walt Disney Imagineering, the creative force behind Disney's theme park attractions. He briefly left Disney in 2019 to lead Amazon's Alexa Gadgets division. As Meta and Snap unveiled a new generation of lightweight glasses that provide consumers a fashionable alternative to bulky VR goggles, Disney has been quietly assembling a team focused on how best to harness the technology to bring new experiences to the company's theme parks and consumers' homes, seven sources told Reuters. Tech companies have sold about 1.7 million AR/VR headsets so far this year, data from market research firm IDC showed. Meta is still the clear market leader, with a 60.5% market share, but is starting to face pressure in the space from competitors like Sony, Apple and ByteDance. Google also has been signaling this year that it may return to the AR/VR market.

Exclusive: Walt Disney forms business unit to coordinate use of AI, augmented reality

Nov 1 (Reuters) - Walt Disney (DIS.N), opens new tab is forming a new group to coordinate the company's use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and mixed reality, as the media giant explores applications across its film, television and theme park divisions. The newly formed Office of Technology Enablement will be led by Jamie Voris, the film studio's chief technology officer who spearheaded development of Disney's app for the Apple Vision Pro mixed reality device, an email seen on Friday by Reuters showed. Eddie Drake will succeed Voris as the studio's CTO. "The pace and scope of the advances in AI and XR (extended reality) are profound and will continue to impact consumer experiences, creative endeavors and our businesses for years to come - making it critical that Disney explore the exciting opportunities and navigate the potential risks," Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman wrote. "The creation of this group underscores our dedication to doing that." Bergman noted the unit will focus on fast-moving areas of technology, such as AI and mixed reality, which blends the physical and digital worlds. It will not centralize work on these projects, but rather, ensure the various projects around the company fit with its broader strategy. Voris will report to Bergman. The Office of Technology Enablement, which launches with a core leadership team, is expected to grow to about 100 employees, a person familiar with the matter said. Reuters first reported Disney had formed a task force to study artificial intelligence and how it could be applied across the entertainment conglomerate. Various divisions within Disney are exploring applications for augmented reality, which places digital elements into the real world; virtual reality, which immerses the user in a simulated environment; and mixed reality, which combines both. Disney has been building expertise across the organization to capitalize on the emerging technology. For example, Kyle Laughlin, a Disney veteran with a background in augmented and virtual reality and AI, returned to the company in March as senior vice president of research and development for Walt Disney Imagineering, the creative force behind Disney's theme park attractions. He briefly left Disney in 2019 to lead Amazon's Alexa Gadgets division. As Meta and Snap unveiled a new generation of lightweight glasses that provide consumers a fashionable alternative to bulky VR goggles, Disney has been quietly assembling a team focused on how best to harness the technology to bring new experiences to the company's theme parks and consumers' homes, seven sources told Reuters. Tech companies have sold about 1.7 million AR/VR headsets so far this year, data from market research firm IDC showed. Meta is still the clear market leader, with a 60.5% market share, but is starting to face pressure in the space from competitors like Sony, Apple and ByteDance. Google also has been signaling this year that it may return to the AR/VR market. Reporting by Dawn Chmielewski in Los Angeles, Katie Paul in New York; Editing by Richard Chang Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

Walt Disney forms business unit to coordinate use of AI, augmented reality

The newly formed Office of Technology Enablement will be led by Jamie Voris, who spearheaded development of Disney's app for the Apple Vision Pro mixed reality device, according to an email seen on Friday by Reuters.Walt Disney is forming a new unit to coordinate the company's use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and mixed reality, as the media giant explores applications across its film, television and theme park divisions. The newly formed Office of Technology Enablement will be led by Jamie Voris, who spearheaded development of Disney's app for the Apple Vision Pro mixed reality device, according to an email seen on Friday by Reuters. "The pace and scope of the advances in AI and XR (extended reality) are profound and will continue to impact consumer experiences, creative endeavors and our businesses for years to come - making it critical that Disney explore the exciting opportunities and navigate the potential risks," Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman wrote. "The creation of this group underscores our dedication to doing that." Bergman noted the unit will focus on fast-moving areas of technology, such as AI and mixed reality, which blends the physical and digital worlds. It will not centralize work on these projects, but rather, ensure the various projects around the company fit with its broader strategy. Reuters first reported Disney had formed a task force to study artificial intelligence and how it could be applied across the entertainment conglomerate. Various divisions within Disney are exploring applications for augmented reality, which places digital elements into the real world, virtual reality, which immerses the user in a simulated environment, and mixed reality which combines both. Disney has been building expertise across the organization to capitalize on the emerging technology. For example, Kyle Laughlin, a Disney veteran with a background in augmented and virtual reality and artificial intelligence, returned to the company in March as senior vice president of research and development for Walt Disney Imagineering, the creative force behind Disney's theme park attractions. He briefly left Disney in 2019 to lead Amazon's Alexa Gadgets division. As Meta and Snap unveiled a new generation of lightweight glasses that provide consumers a fashionable alternative to bulky VR goggles, Disney has been quietly assembling a team focused on how best to harness the technology to bring new experiences to the company's theme parks and consumers' homes, the sources say. Tech companies have sold about 1.7 million AR/VR headsets so far this year, data from market research firm IDC showed. Meta is still the clear market leader, with a 60.5% market share, but is starting to face pressure in the space from competitors like Sony, Apple and ByteDance.

Exclusive-Walt Disney forms business unit to coordinate use of AI, augmented reality

(Reuters) - Walt Disney is forming a new unit to coordinate the company's use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and mixed reality, as the media giant explores applications across its film, television and theme park divisions. The newly formed Office of Technology Enablement will be led by Jamie Voris, who spearheaded development of Disney's app for the Apple Vision Pro mixed reality device, according to an email seen on Friday by Reuters. "The pace and scope of the advances in AI and XR (extended reality) are profound and will continue to impact consumer experiences, creative endeavors and our businesses for years to come - making it critical that Disney explore the exciting opportunities and navigate the potential risks," Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman wrote. "The creation of this group underscores our dedication to doing that." Bergman noted the unit will focus on fast-moving areas of technology, such as AI and mixed reality, which blends the physical and digital worlds. It will not centralize work on these projects, but rather, ensure the various projects around the company fit with its broader strategy. Reuters first reported Disney had formed a task force to study artificial intelligence and how it could be applied across the entertainment conglomerate. Various divisions within Disney are exploring applications for augmented reality, which places digital elements into the real world, virtual reality, which immerses the user in a simulated environment, and mixed reality which combines both. Disney has been building expertise across the organization to capitalize on the emerging technology. For example, Kyle Laughlin, a Disney veteran with a background in augmented and virtual reality and artificial intelligence, returned to the company in March as senior vice president of research and development for Walt Disney Imagineering, the creative force behind Disney's theme park attractions. He briefly left Disney in 2019 to lead Amazon's Alexa Gadgets division. As Meta and Snap unveiled a new generation of lightweight glasses that provide consumers a fashionable alternative to bulky VR goggles, Disney has been quietly assembling a team focused on how best to harness the technology to bring new experiences to the company's theme parks and consumers' homes, the sources say. Tech companies have sold about 1.7 million AR/VR headsets so far this year, data from market research firm IDC showed. Meta is still the clear market leader, with a 60.5% market share, but is starting to face pressure in the space from competitors like Sony, Apple and ByteDance. (Reporting by Dawn Chmielewski in Los Angeles, Katie Paul in New York; Editing by Richard Chang)

Disney forms dedicated AI and XR group to coordinate company-wide use and adoption

It expects to grow the Office of Technology Enablement to about 100 individuals. Disney is adding another layer to its AI and extended reality strategies. As first reported by Reuters, the company recently formed a dedicated emerging technologies unit. Dubbed the Office of Technology Enablement, the group will coordinate the company's exploration, adoption and use of artificial intelligence, AR and VR technologies. It has tapped Jamie Voris, previously the CTO of its Studios Technology division, to oversee the effort. Before joining Disney in 2010, Voris was the chief technology officer at the National Football League. More recently, he led the development of the company's Apple Vision Pro app. Voris will report to Alan Bergman, the co-chairman of Disney Entertainment. Reuters reports the company eventually plans to grow the group to about 100 employees. "The pace and scope of advances in AI and XR 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," Bergman wrote in an email Disney shared with Engadget. "The creation of this new group underscores our dedication to doing that and to being a positive force in shaping responsible use and best practices." A Disney spokesperson told Engadget the Office of Technology Enablement won't take over any existing AI and XR projects at the company. Instead, it will support Disney's other teams, many of which are already working on products that involve those technologies, to ensure their work fits into the company's broader strategic goals. "It is about bringing added focus, alignment, and velocity to those efforts, and about reinforcing our commitment being a positive force in shaping responsible use and best practices," the spokesperson said. It's safe to say Disney has probably navigated the last two decades of technological change better than most of Hollywood. For instance, the company's use of the Unreal Engine in conjunction with a digital set known as The Volume has streamlined the production of VFX-heavy shows like The Mandalorian. With extended reality and AI in particular promising tidal changes to how humans work and play, it makes sense to add some additional oversight to how those technologies are used at the company.

New Disney Business Unit to Explore AI, Augmented Reality

The newly formed Office of Technology Enablement will be led by Jamie Voris, the film studio's chief technology officer who spearheaded development of Disney's app for the Apple Vision Pro mixed reality device, an email seen on Friday by Reuters showed. Eddie Drake will succeed Voris as the studio's CTO. "The pace and scope of the advances in AI and XR (extended reality) are profound and will continue to impact consumer experiences, creative endeavors and our businesses for years to come - making it critical that Disney explore the exciting opportunities and navigate the potential risks," Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman wrote. "The creation of this group underscores our dedication to doing that."

Walt Disney forms business unit to coordinate use of AI

Walt Disney is forming a new unit to coordinate the company's use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and mixed reality, as the media giant explores applications across its film, television and theme park divisions. The newly formed Office of Technology Enablement will be led by Jamie Voris, who spearheaded development of Disney's app for the Apple Vision Pro mixed reality device, according to an email seen on Friday by Reuters. "The pace and scope of the advances in AI and XR (extended reality) are profound and will continue to impact consumer experiences, creative endeavors and our businesses for years to come - making it critical that Disney explore the exciting opportunities and navigate the potential risks," Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman wrote. "The creation of this group underscores our dedication to doing that." Bergman noted the unit will focus on fast-moving areas of technology, such as AI and mixed reality, which blends the physical and digital worlds. It will not centralize work on these projects, but rather, ensure the various projects around the company fit with its broader strategy.

Disney reportedly created a team for AI and mixed reality.

Disney co-chairman Alan Bergman announced the Office of Technology Enablement in an email seen by Reuters: The pace and scope of the advances in AI and XR (extended reality) are profound and will continue to impact consumer experiences, creative endeavors and our businesses for years to come - making it critical that Disney explore the exciting opportunities and navigate the potential risks. Disney CTO Jamie Voris, who helped create the Disney Plus Vision Pro app, will reportedly helm the new division. The company eliminated its metaverse unit last year.