tech
Disney invests $1 billion in OpenAI, licenses 200 characters for AI video app Sora
Three-year deal lets users create AI videos of Mickey Mouse, Darth Vader, and more.
TL;DR
- Disney invests $1 billion in OpenAI and secures a three-year licensing agreement.
- OpenAI's Sora video generator users can create clips with over 200 Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars characters.
- This is the first major content licensing partnership for OpenAI's AI video platform.
- Disney CEO Robert A. Iger stated the collaboration respects creators and their works.
- The deal allows generation of videos using characters like Mickey Mouse, Darth Vader, and Simba.
- ChatGPT image generator will gain official access to Disney intellectual property for content moderation.
- Disney will use OpenAI technology to build new features for Disney+ and deploy ChatGPT for employees.
- Fan-made Sora videos will stream on Disney+ starting early 2026.
- The agreement excludes talent likenesses or voices, with commitments to prevent illegal or harmful content generation.
- OpenAI CEO Sam Altman called the deal a model for collaboration between AI companies and studios.
- This partnership represents a reversal from Disney's initial negative reaction to Sora 2.
- Disney has also sent cease-and-desist letters to Google, Meta, and Character.AI regarding AI copyright infringement.
- Disney has filed lawsuits against image-synthesis service Midjourney.