Digital Domain, a global leader in visual effects, has announced an investment of US$26 million to establish a new research and development (R&D) center in Hong Kong. The facility will be located at Hong Kong Science Park, Sha Tin, and will focus on the development of advanced visual effects (VFX) and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered video production. This major initiative is aimed at enhancing Digital Domain’s technological capabilities, especially in the creation of virtual humans and AI-driven video technologies
By 2029, the company plans to have invested HK$204 million (US$26 million) into this new R&D center. One of the key goals is to explore the application of virtual humans in various service-oriented environments. Digital Domain will also further expand its professional team, adding skilled engineers and researchers to push the boundaries of VFX and AI.
Daniel Seah, acting chairman and CEO of Digital Domain, expressed the company’s vision for leveraging its vast digital assets, which include a rich library of motion capture data and facial scans accumulated over decades. These digital resources are pivotal for training AI models and developing new machine learning applications. Seah referred to these assets as the “petroleum of the new era” and emphasized that they will be integral to advancing the company’s AI and video production technologies.
Digital Domain’s new center also aims to secure five patents in Hong Kong to further its technological innovation and strengthen its leadership in the global VFX and AI industries. The company sees this move as a way to help Hong Kong’s creative sector evolve, particularly in areas like virtual reality (VR), which Digital Domain has increasingly ventured into in recent years.
Founded in 1993 by James Cameron, Scott Ross, and Stan Winston, Digital Domain has a long history of producing award-winning visual effects, having worked on blockbuster franchises such as The Avengers, Titanic, Dune, and RRR. Over the years, the company has earned three Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects, and its work can be seen in some of the highest-grossing films of all time.
Despite its renowned achievements in the film industry, Digital Domain has faced financial struggles in recent years. After declaring bankruptcy in 2012, the company was acquired by Sun Innovation Holdings, a Hong Kong-based firm. In 2023, the company’s revenue saw a 23% decline, and its gross profit dropped by 45% compared to the previous year. Nonetheless, this investment in the new R&D center underscores Digital Domain’s commitment to growth and innovation.
