Utopai Studios Names Ex-Disney AI Executive Hans Ku as Chief Product Officer
Ku will lead product, engineering, research and business development at the studio, which raised $60 million at a $1 billion valuation.
Utopai Studios has appointed Hans Ku, formerly an AI executive at Disney, as its Chief Product Officer, Deadline reported on November 2, 2026. In the role, Ku will lead product, engineering, research and business development at the studio.
Utopai said Ku's focus will include building PAI alongside filmmakers. The studio was founded in 2022 and recently raised $60 million in funding at a $1 billion valuation.
Ku most recently served as VP of AI & Engineering in Disney's Office of Technology Enablement, where he worked on the company's connection with OpenAI around its generative video offering, Sora. At the end of 2025, Disney struck a deal with OpenAI to license characters for use on Sora in exchange for a $1 billion equity investment, an arrangement later undone after Sora was shut down.
Before his AI role at Disney, Ku worked at Walt Disney Feature Animation, where he created a system to help traditional animators online. As an executive at DreamWorks Animation, he created the DreamColor display with HP, work that earned him a Scientific and Engineering Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Ku has also been an entrepreneur and product executive at Tubi, Yahoo and Flipagram.
Quick answers
Who is Utopai Studios' new Chief Product Officer?
Hans Ku, formerly VP of AI & Engineering in Disney's Office of Technology Enablement, was named Chief Product Officer of Utopai Studios.
What will Hans Ku do at Utopai Studios?
He will lead product, engineering, research and business development, with a focus on building PAI alongside filmmakers.
When was Utopai Studios founded?
Utopai Studios was founded in 2022 and recently raised $60 million at a $1 billion valuation.