AI is Taking Over the World, But Mickey Mouse Isn’t Worried About Losing His Job

The AI revolution has become one of the most talked about and controversial developments in the tech world, especially when it comes to the topic of how it’s going to replace artists and creatives. The Walt Disney Company has more than demonstrated its ability to harness the power of artificial intelligence to enhance its storytelling technology. From creating Mark Hamill’s likeness in The Mandalorian to the anti-aging technology in Disney’s latest, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

Disney Pushes Forward with Artificial Intelligence

The Walt Disney Company has always been known for being an innovator and trend-setter with cutting-edge technology. Ever since Walt Disney founded the company, Disney has been known to try out new forms of storytelling and works to constantly be at the forefront of new developments in the field of entertainment. Not every movie is a hit—think the psychedelic Fantasia—but that hasn’t stopped Disney from constantly working to further their technology, now incorporating AI, artificial intelligence, more strongly into their productions.

Mickey Mouse Voice Actor Speaks on AI

Despite AI’s raging popularity in cultural discourse right now, one artist isn’t worried about its impact, rather, he’s excited about the possibilities. For the Walt Disney Company’s centennial—its 100th anniversary—Agence France-Presse spoke with Mickey Mouse voice actor Bret Iwan about the company’s past and future, including the potential for AI.

Per Inquirer.net,

 

“Gosh, I would say, of course there’s amazing technology being developed with AI, and it’s so impressive,” said Iwan. “But I don’t think anything can replace the heart of a character and more importantly, the heart of storytelling.”

For Iwan, character and storytelling are “unique to a performer, a writer, an animator, an artist, a creator,” and Iwan doesn’t believe AI can truly replace real acting and storytelling. It’s a view that is also held by Eric Goldberg—the Disney animator who designed the Genie in “Aladdin”—a champion of hand-drawn animation.

“I think AI has less of a chance of affecting hand-drawn animation than it does computer animation because AI is about replicating realism,” Goldberg shared. “The characters that I do, the Genie’s head can turn into a toaster! Which you can’t do with an AI character!”