Disney's Walden Warns of Continued Hollywood Layoffs Amid Tech Takeover

Disney's Entertainment President and CCO Dana Walden said that Hollywood layoffs will continue in the coming years as the industry adapts to the rise of technology. The company has already laid off over 10,000 employees since 2022, including a recent wave of 300 HR and tech division staff.

Walden attributed the job cuts to the 'evolution' of the entertainment business, stating that 'technology set their sights on our business, and we must survive and thrive and grow.' She emphasized that layoffs are necessary for Disney's survival in a rapidly changing industry.

The recent HR layoffs at Disney come as AI automation has led to job losses in human resources across various industries. According to Bloomberg, HR jobs have fallen by 18% since the launch of ChatGPT in 2022.

Walden predicted that layoffs will continue across Hollywood in the years to come, citing the upcoming merger of Paramount and Warner Bros., which is expected to result in $6 billion in efficiencies. She offered advice to Warner execs on how to handle the transition, recommending that they approach it with compassion and help their departing colleagues find new jobs.