Disney CEO Addresses Artificial Intelligence Fears
On his very first official day as Disney Chief Executive Officer, Josh D’Amaro took the stage at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to navigate a question that has become the “elephant in the room” for the entertainment industry: the role of Artificial Intelligence.
D’Amaro, stepping into the role previously held by Bob Iger, framed the technology as a natural extension of Walt Disney’s own innovative spirit. “It’s probably not a complete discussion these days if we don’t talk about AI at least a little bit,” D’Amaro said. “We’ve been at the forefront of innovation for more than 100 years. Our goal with AI is to empower human creativity and not replace it.”
Disney is using AI and machine learning in a variety of ways to enable creators and creativity, to develop and improve products and experiences, and to drive business productivity and efficiency, D’Amaro said.
There have been a number of patents over the years that have included the concept of machine learning to help people interact with characters and to anticipate and learn movements of users.
There is a vast concern about the use of generative AI in the workplace. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 projects that 92 million roles could be displaced by 2030, with 41% of global employers planning workforce reductions in areas where AI can automate tasks. On freelance platforms, demand for writing and translation skills has plummeted 20% to 50% since the widespread adoption of generative AI. And, research indicates that 10% to 20% of entry-level white-collar roles are currently at risk, threatening the traditional training ground for the next generation of storytellers.
Programmers, writers, artists and actors are all concerned about their future as the AI revolution moves into high gear. Hollywood guilds are advocating for comprehensive AI guardrails that prioritize equitable compensation for human talent.
D’Amaro, however said that Disney will be approaching this thoughtfully and use AI as a tool, not a replacement. “At Disney, creativity is always led by people; that will always be the case. Our goal with AI is to empower human creativity and not replace it. We want to give artists, filmmakers, and designers better tools so that they can focus on what they do best,” he said.
