Disney CEO Bob Iger spoke passionately about the power and potential of new technology in the entertainment world at the recent Canva Create event held at SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park. Speaking before a crowd of 3,500 Canva fans, Iger underscored the importance of embracing technological innovation to enhance storytelling and creativity. The event marked Canva’s first U.S. showcase, an exciting milestone for the Australia-based design platform.
Iger, who is both an investor and board member of Canva, shared insights alongside Canva co-founder Melanie Perkins. He lauded Canva’s user-friendly tools that empower creators, reflecting on Walt Disney’s own commitment to using technology to tell better stories. “Walt Disney himself was a big believer in using technology to tell better stories. And he thought that technology in the hands of a great storyteller was unbelievably powerful,” Iger noted.
At a time when the creative community is grappling with the implications of generative AI, Iger emphasized the positive impact of such technology. He urged creators to see tech as a tool to improve and expand their reach rather than a threat. “Don’t fixate on its ability to be disruptive — fixate on [tech’s] ability to make us better and tell better stories,” he said.
During the conversation, Iger shared a delightful anecdote about how his wife, Willow Bay, introduced him to Canva by using it to design a manual for their espresso machine. Impressed by the professional quality of the Canva-produced manual, Iger soon saw the platform’s potential and decided to invest.
Iger also advised Canva’s founders and users to remain true to their core values, stressing that maintaining a company’s original ethos is crucial for long-term success. He cited Disney and Coca-Cola as prime examples of companies that have adapted through decades while staying true to their roots.
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*Source: [Variety](https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/bob-iger-canva-ai-tech-embrace-change-melanie-perkins-1236015176/)*
