Disney is creating a group to oversee the adoption of AI and Mixed Reality in a 'responsible' way across the company

Disney has created a new strategic group to manage and coordinate how the company develops and deploys next-generation technology – such as artificial intelligence and mixed reality – and to do so in a “responsible” manner.

The company has tapped Jamie Voris, who served as Chief Technology Officer of Walt Disney Studios for 14 years, to lead the newly created Disney Office of Technology Enablement. In the new role, Voris will report to Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman, who announced the group’s formation in an internal memo on Friday.

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“Our ability to stay at the forefront of technological advancements will only become more important as we move forward – making it all the more important to understand and embrace new technology shifts in ways that enable our people, creativity and business ,” Bergman said in the memo, obtained by Variety.

The Office of Technology Enablement (OTE) is intended to ensure that Disney is “a progressive, innovative and responsible leader” in AI and mixed reality, and will be tasked with developing best practices for the develop technologies.

“The pace and scope of advances in AI and XR (extended reality) are profound and will continue to impact consumer experiences, creative efforts and our business for years to come – making it critical that Disney continues the explores opportunities and navigates the potential risks. ,” wrote Bergman.

Disney’s Office of Technology Enablement team “will be accountable to all of our business segments and work closely with leaders across the company,” Bergman wrote. The new group is not intended to “take over or centralize” AI or mixed reality projects that individual business units are working on, he added. Rather, the goal is to ensure that next-generation technology initiatives are aligned with “our goals and values” and “drive results with greater agility, speed and consistency,” Bergman said.

Eddie Drake, chief technology officer at Marvel Studios, will take on the role of CTO at Walt Disney Studios.

News of Disney’s new next-generation technology group was first reported by Reuters.

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