In a bid for greater user engagement, Walt Disney Co. will introduce vertical videos to its Disney+ app over the next year, a company executive said Wednesday.
The move is part of the Burbank media and entertainment company’s effort to encourage more frequent app usage, particularly on smartphones.
“We know that mobile is an incredible opportunity to turn Disney+ into a true daily destination for fans,” Erin Teague, executive vice president of product management, said during an onstage presentation in Las Vegas at the Consumer Electronics Show. “All of the short-form Disney content you want, all in one unified app.”
Teague said the company will evolve that capability over time to determine new formats, categories and content types.
Disney’s presentation also touched on its interest in artificial intelligence. Last month, San Francisco startup OpenAI said it had reached a licensing deal with Disney to use more than 200 of the company’s popular characters in its text-to-video tool, Sora. Under the terms of that deal, users will be able to write prompts that generate short videos featuring Disney characters and use ChatGPT images to create those characters’ visages. Some of those Sora-generated videos will be shown on Disney+, though the companies said the deal did not include talent likenesses or voices.
Disney also said it would invest $1 billion into the AI company.
Part of Disney’s move toward AI is to appeal to young Gen Alpha viewers, who are more comfortable with AI and “expect to interact with entertainment” instead of simply watching stories on the screen, Teague said.
“AI is an accelerator,” she said. “It’s why collaborations with partners like OpenAI are absolutely crucial. We want to empower a new generation of fandom that is more interactive and immersive, while also respecting human creativity and protecting user safety.”
In order to speed up flights and improve punctuality, it will install AI-powered turnaround tech.
This will involve a network of cameras being installed across Heathrow.
Using AI to analyse data, the airport will speed up turnaround times between flights, which will make journeys more punctual.
Coverage is expected to be across all terminals by the end of 2026.
Other upgrades will be to accessibility, which will have dedicated access to security for the first time.
Alongside new mobility equipment, Heathrow is investing in upgrades to assistance areas across the airport.
Terminal 2 will improve its baggage facilitiesCredit: Alamy
There will be a purpose-built assistance area and the UK’s first Tailored Travel Guide.
Passengers with various access needs can input their travel details and get a personalised step-by-step guide to navigate the airport.
Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye said: “Passengers should expect that every time they travel through Heathrow their journey is better than the last.”
He added: “I’m excited to unveil next year’s programme which will make Heathrow more user-friendly, more efficient and more resilient for our customers.
“This investment will flow directly into our nationwide supply chain helping to drive economic growth whilst we make Heathrow even better and more efficient for our customers.”
The upgrades made in December 2025 are part of Heathrow’s current five-year investment plan.
AI-tech should improve passenger journeys and there will be improvements to accessibilityCredit: Getty Images
In 2024, the airport saw almost 30million passengers, but with the new plans could see 20million more.
The airport in question is London Stansted in Essex which has plans for more flights, but no structural changes.
London Stansted could rise to become the UK’s second busiest airport, rather than the fourth, after councillors agreed to increase its annual passenger numbers to 51million.
The owner, Manchester Airports Group’s, latest plan is to increase passenger capacity at the airport to between 48 and 51million people per year by 2040.
In comparison, London Gatwick sees between 40 to 43million passengers each year.
While you might think that the airport would need an additional runway, there are no plans to build one.
There won’t be a second runway, or exceed the airport’s limit of 274,000 flights a year.
The way it will increase its passengers is by accommodating larger planes.
On December 17, 2025, Uttlesford District Council’s Planning Committee ruled in favour of the application.
Qatar is trying to catch up in the artificial intelligence (AI) race in the Gulf, relying on its low-cost energy and financial resources. The country is launching Qai, supported by its sovereign wealth fund and a joint venture with Brookfield, marking a significant step into the AI sector. This move is part of a broader aim for the Gulf region to diversify its economies away from oil reliance, similar to investments made by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Despite its energy advantages, Qatar faces several challenges in becoming a significant player in AI. These include the need to adopt Western data governance practices, secure advanced chips that are subject to U. S. export controls, and attract skilled talent in a competitive market. Analysts emphasize that overcoming these obstacles, rather than just having financial resources, will be crucial for success in the AI field.
The launch of Qai comes at a time of rising demand for AI infrastructure as companies seek efficiency and cost cuts. Analysts believe that Qatar’s low electricity costs could provide a competitive edge, helping to manage high energy needs in a hot climate. The region’s energy efficiency ratings show that Qatar could grow significantly in the AI market if it maintains affordable power and develops its infrastructure.
Currently, Qatar has a few data centers compared to its neighbors, with plans to increase capacity considerably. The UAE aims to build a large AI campus, while Qatar would need to reach significant milestones, such as achieving 500 megawatts by 2029, to improve its standing. Compliance with strict U. S. rules on chip usage will also be essential for Qai to obtain advanced processors.
Analysts highlight Qatar as a late entrant in the AI race compared to established players like Saudi Arabia and the UAE. While it has certain advantages, its neighbors are better positioned in terms of scale and volume.
