Disney and Artificial Intelligence - What's Cooking?

Walt Disney Co DIS formed a task force to study artificial intelligence and its application across the entertainment conglomerate amid strikes by Hollywood writers and actors.

The company created the group ahead of the strike and sought to develop AI applications in-house and form partnerships with startups, Reuters cites familiar sources.

Disney has 11 current job openings seeking candidates with AI or machine learning expertise.

The positions encompass every corner of the company - from Walt Disney Studios to the company's theme parks and engineering group, Walt Disney Imagineering, to Disney-branded television and the advertising team.

Disney sees AI as crucial to monitor the surging costs of movie and television production, which can reach $300 million for a major film release like "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" or "The Little Mermaid." 

AI could enhance customer support or create novel interactions for its parks business.

Project Kiwi leveraged machine-learning techniques to create a Baby Groot robot that mimics the "Guardians of the Galaxy" character, which can potentially interact with guests in the future.

Major entertainment companies, including Netflix Inc NFLX, Amazon.Com Inc AMZN, and Apple Inc AAPL, are on a hiring spree with plum pay packages for positions in the AI field.

Price Actions: DIS shares traded higher by 1.44% at $88.12 on the last check Tuesday.