In an era characterized by rapidly advancing technology, one name has been consistently revolutionizing the domain of visual effects: Digital Domain. Born out of the creative genius of Hollywood legend James Cameron, and currently spearheaded by the Malaysian-born dynamo, Daniel Seah, Digital Domain has been breathing life into visual effects for a glorious 30 years, contributing to titanic blockbusters like ‘Titanic’, ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’, and the franchise behemoth, ‘The Avengers’.
Today, Digital Domain has evolved into a mighty visual effects powerhouse, its presence echoing across ten countries, including the United States, Canada, China, and India. But as time whizzed by, the company’s ambitions have soared beyond visual effects. In 2016, Digital Domain leaned into cutting-edge technology by harnessing the powers of artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR). The result? Real-time, photorealistic, and emotionally expressive virtual humans that astoundingly mirror reality.
A milestone in Digital Domain’s AI-driven journey was the ‘resurrection’ of late Taiwanese singer, Teresa Teng, via a hologram. This impressive feat of technology allowed Teng to perform three songs alongside singer Jay Chou at his Taipei concert in 2013. Fast-forward to the present, AI-powered virtual humans have become an integral part of Digital Domain’s operations. The technology was especially beneficial during the pandemic, allowing the touch-ups of various movies and commercials when on-site filming was restricted.
Also Read: Step Into The Future With Google’s AI-Powered Virtual Apparel Try-On
Seah, in a recent interaction with the Malaysian media, highlighted how Digital Domain leveraged AI to deliver movies with limited resources and time. He stressed that virtual humans could become the solution, a tool for industries beyond entertainment, such as education, medicine, and hospitality, to engage in real, meaningful interactions with people.
However, despite the enormous potential AI technology promises, Seah was the first to acknowledge the risks of misuse, fraud, and copyright issues. He underscored the vital role of lawmakers in establishing guidelines while also emphasizing the companies’ responsibility in ensuring the ethical use of technology—a commitment that Digital Domain upholds.
Seah shared an instance from the past when two major U.S. political parties approached Digital Domain for creating a smear campaign against the other. Digital Domain, placing integrity over profits, rejected both. Similarly, before recreating Teng as a hologram, Seah engaged in a year-long dialogue with the late singer’s brother, assuring him that their goal was to honor Teng’s legacy. Even after earning rights to Teng’s image, Digital Domain was discerning in using it, declining commercial propositions that Teng might not have agreed to in life.
Looking forward, Seah eyes South-East Asia as a potential region for expanding Digital Domain’s operations. He is keen on setting up a media lab and investing in research and development, underlining the region’s bilingualism, stable market, and integrity. He expressed optimism about partnering with the best universities in the region, similar to their collaboration with the University of Southern California. He believes such partnerships are vital for nurturing future employees, aiding the company’s growth.
In essence, Digital Domain is a glowing example of the confluence of technology, integrity, and vision—a testament to how AI, when wielded responsibly, can have extraordinary social impacts.
News based on the marketing-interactive website.
