Disney You don’t want to miss the train artificial intelligence and is dedicating resources to its study, development and implementation. The curious thing is that one of the ways in which the corporation intends to take advantage of this technology is to cut expenses and find new ways to save money.
As reported Reuters, Disney has formed a working group dedicated to studying how to implement AI in the different areas that make up its conglomerate. From amusement parks to film and television productions, without forgetting the advertising sector and other businesses.
According to the aforementioned medium, the intention of the Mickey Mouse house is to develop its own applications based on artificial intelligence, as well as to generate alliances with established companies in the sector. The pro-AI push in the different branches of the corporation is even being reflected in job searches. That is why today the vacancies would focus mainly on experts in machine learning and related specialties.
As Disney is a company that, throughout its almost 100-year history, has been at the forefront of technology —both when talking about animation and engineering applied to its attractions, among other areas—, the initiative has its logic. Although what is most striking is that one of the possible implementations of the AI would be for optimize your economy.
Disney would bet on artificial intelligence to control its expenses
A source of Reuters He affirms that, despite being an empire, Disney is an entertainment company forged in the old fashioned way. So it faces the same predicament as the other traditional firms in the sector: adapt to new technological trends, including artificial intelligence, or “risk becoming obsolete”.
That is why achieving balanced finances is crucial for this type of corporation, which has its hands in a myriad of businesses. Besides making tons of money, of course. And while it stands to reason that a Disney-caliber structure would have a robust accounting department, that doesn’t mean a little extra help can’t come in handy.
According to a Disney employee, AI could be used as a tool to better control how the production costs of series and films rise. This is not a minor fact, considering that carrying out projects of this type generally requires investments of several hundred million dollars. And you never have the certainty of recovering them.
However, the possibility of implementing AI as a cost-cutting tool also has all the ingredients to be controversial. In particular, due to its potential impact on existing jobs and on the labor market in general. Let’s not forget that Disney has been one of the many corporations that has laid off thousands of employees this year. Decision that has been part of the restructuring process promoted by Bob Iger since his return as CEO of the company.
Besides, today Disney is one of the producers in the spotlight for the strikes of Hollywood scriptwriters and actors. It is inevitable, then, that the adoption of new forms of artificial intelligence will be a contentious issue. Especially given the recent accusations against the big film and TV studios for allegedly wanting to take advantage of technology to write scripts during the writers’ strike. Or, even, to develop “synthetic actors” that do not require the payment of salaries or royalties.