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Society continues to be confronted with ongoing debates about artificial intelligence (AI) and whether its effects pose an overall net positive or negative.

So far, no clear consensus exists. Supporters of AI believe the technology can serve as a helping hand to humans in both their professional and personal lives. Detractors, however, feel AI will slash jobs, increase poverty, and otherwise advance societal ills.

It's clear that AI isn't going anywhere. As a matter of fact, more businesses have begun testing the technology to ascertain the true extent of its capabilities.

One of those businesses is none other than Disney.

A closer look at the merge between Disney and AI

So far, Disney's efforts to put AI to use remain in the infancy stage.

As things currently stand, the company has set up a task force that will center on AI's ability to handle certain industry assignments. In keeping with this task force, various available job listings from Disney also specifically seek candidates with knowledge of both AI and machine learning.

Some of Disney's operations where AI is expected to play a role going forward include the following:

• Advertising
• Engineering
• TV
• Theme parks
• Imagineering

Predictably, questions continue to emerge about the impacts of AI on Disney workers who already maintain employment in the above fields. While Disney stands to reduce overhead expenses by going the AI route, people with jobs at the company may become collateral damage.

Public sentiment and more

News of Disney's aforementioned task force continues to spread like wildfire on social media. X, the outlet priorly known as Twitter, has people weighing in with thoughts and feedback.

One common consensus is that Disney may be playing too fast and loose with AI. Many believe that even if the company manages to automate certain tasks, the need for the creative human touch will still remain.

Another issue to emerge from this is the possibility of Disney forfeiting certain tax breaks, should it swap out human workers for AI. Disney unsurprisingly aims to prevent any legislation of this nature from passing, as it would negatively impact the company's bottom line.