An AI Master Joins the Russo Brothers’ Production Company

AGBO has brought on Dr. Dominic Hughes, an authority figure in the AI space, to advance its creative opportunities and technologies.

The production company founded by the Russo brothers, AGBO, has brought on artificial intelligence specialist Dr. Dominic Hughes as its new chief scientific officer. Dr. Hughes, an esteemed figure in AI and machine learning, will guide AGBO’s exploration of AI technologies, aiming to enhance storytelling and creative processes within the company.

Hughes holds a Ph.D from Oxford University. Previously, he co-founded the customizable audio news app Swell, which was later acquired by Apple, after which he spearheaded the development of AI and language model projects for Apple News. 

As part of his role at AGBO, Hughes will work with the company’s in-house storytelling and innovation teams to explore AI's applications in the creative world. The company says he will help them determine the potential of proprietary, third-party, and public AI tools, especially at a time when advanced generative AI is creating new opportunities in areas such as visual effects. AGBO’s creative officer, Angela Russo-Otstot, expressed confidence in Hughes' role, noting that the company is committed to making sure technological advancements in AI are informed by creatives themselves. According to Russo-Otstot, the collaboration with Hughes will allow AGBO to produce capabilities that streamline processes for their artists, allowing them to work with greater efficiency and freedom.

AGBO co-chairs Anthony and Joe Russo, directors of the Avengers films, spoke about the pace of change in entertainment and their excitement for the future, emphasizing the importance of an approach that centers creatives. They noted that Hughes' expertise will be key in exploring how AI can empower artists to push creative boundaries and tell more daring stories.

Reflecting on his new role, Hughes shared his enthusiasm for collaborating with AGBO’s team, saying he looks forward to developing AI-enabled solutions to help define the next era of filmmaking. With Hughes onboard, AGBO appears poised to lead a thoughtful exploration of AI’s potential in a way that centers on the needs of artists and the creative vision that drives the company’s work.