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What To Know
- Disney has made one of its boldest tech moves yet, announcing a massive $1 billion equity investment in OpenAI, along with a partnership that will allow fans to generate videos featuring some of the world’s most iconic characters on Sora, the viral AI video generator.
- Disney CEO Bob Iger called the partnership a carefully considered step into the AI era, saying the company aims to expand storytelling “thoughtfully and responsibly,” while protecting creators’ rights.
- As part of the deal, Disney will also receive warrants to buy additional OpenAI equity and become a major customer of the company’s technology.
Disney has made one of its boldest tech moves yet, announcing a massive $1 billion equity investment in OpenAI, along with a partnership that will allow fans to generate videos featuring some of the world’s most iconic characters on Sora, the viral AI video generator.
Under the new three-year licensing agreement, more than 200 characters across Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars will be available for Sora users starting next year. That lineup includes global legends like Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, Ariel, Iron Man, and Darth Vader, marking one of the biggest official collaborations between a Hollywood studio and an AI company to date.
Disney CEO Bob Iger called the partnership a carefully considered step into the AI era, saying the company aims to expand storytelling “thoughtfully and responsibly,” while protecting creators’ rights. As part of the deal, Disney will also receive warrants to buy additional OpenAI equity and become a major customer of the company’s technology.
The agreement goes far beyond entertainment content. Disney is preparing to roll out ChatGPT internally to employees and will work with OpenAI to develop new tools, workflows, and digital experiences across the company’s entertainment ecosystem.
The move comes after months of tension between studios and AI firms. Disney recently sent cease-and-desist letters to Google and Character.AI, and has joined legal battles accusing Midjourney of improperly training models on copyrighted content. This new partnership signals Disney’s shift toward controlled cooperation rather than outright resistance.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said the collaboration will bring “new creative possibilities” to global audiences while maintaining strict safeguards against harmful or illegal content. Disney+ will also feature curated selections of Sora-generated videos, giving viewers a new way to experience the company’s storytelling universe.
With this deal, Disney isn’t just protecting its IP — it’s positioning itself at the front of AI-powered entertainment.
