AI Olaf instead of a mascot costume: I've had a sneak peek into the Disney of the future

Bolstered by this high profitability, Disney is actively pursuing the introduction of AI technology into its Experiences division, such as theme parks.

Disney utilized NVIDIA's 3D digital twin program, Omniverse, to simulate the rendering of the AI Olaf robot. This dramatically shortened the robot development period, completing a process that previously took several years in just four months. Additionally, the AI Olaf robot itself is equipped with a reinforcement learning-based AI model, allowing it to maintain its balance even on a rocking boat.

This event, which also marked the debut of new Chairman Josh D'Amaro, saw enthusiastic responses from large fan bases with each new release announcement. This demonstrated that the future lineup, based on the success of previous works, is meeting fan expectations.

At the D23 event, it was announced that Marvel Cinematic Universe's 'X-Men' is officially scheduled for release in May 2028. For Pixar Animation, 'Coco 2,' a sequel to 'Coco' set against the backdrop of Mexico's Day of the Dead festival, is confirmed for release in November 2029. Alongside these, new IP-based works such as 'Chloe,' 'Gatos,' and 'Bost Market' were also announced, signaling a diverse content lineup.

In the U.S. market, Disney's streaming service market share, including Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN, increased from 9.4% in July 2025 to 10.3% last May. This demonstrates the growing importance of streaming platforms amidst the deepening 'cord-cutting' phenomenon, where cable TV subscribers are decreasing.

The format of 'Destiny War,' an original content produced in Korea, is being exported overseas, creating a global success story. On Disney Plus, 'Destiny War 49' achieved its highest-ever ratings in the non-drama category, and Disney officially announced the production of a UK version of 'Destiny War.' In addition, Mexican and Spanish versions are also under consideration, actively promoting the global expansion of Korean content.