Entertainment icon Mickey Mouse is headlining Disney’s AI revolution through a $1 billion OpenAI investment and licensing deal that grants Sora access to over 200 characters. The three-year agreement encompasses characters from Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars franchises.
Disney announced Thursday that the partnership enables Sora users to create short social videos featuring beloved characters through text-based prompts. These AI-generated videos can be viewed and shared across platforms, opening new creative possibilities. The licensing terms carefully exclude any use of talent likenesses or voices.
The collaboration extends into broader operational transformation. Disney will become a major OpenAI customer, utilizing AI tools for new product development and experiences while deploying ChatGPT for employee productivity. This comprehensive approach demonstrates Disney’s strategic commitment to AI adoption.
Bob Iger, Disney’s chief executive, characterized the partnership as representing a pivotal moment for the entertainment sector. He stressed that Disney would approach generative AI thoughtfully and responsibly, ensuring the technology extends the company’s storytelling capabilities while respecting and protecting creators and their contributions. This framing addresses concerns from entertainment professionals.
The entertainment industry has largely resisted AI partnerships, worried about data usage and labor conflicts. OpenAI has pursued conversations with several major studios about Sora’s potential, but Disney’s agreement marks a watershed moment. The updated Sora platform, launched in September as an invitation-only app, allows users to generate videos from text prompts, explore content from other users, and create realistic AI avatars with user-granted permissions.