Disney Invests $1 Billion in OpenAI, Licenses IP to Sora
The Walt Disney Company has finalized a landmark three-year agreement with OpenAI, committing to a $1 billion equity investment and becoming the first major content licensing partner for the AI firm’s Sora video model.
This partnership marks a significant shift, as the deal will allow Sora and ChatGPT Images to generate short, fan-created videos and images using over 200 iconic Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars characters. A curated selection of these user-generated clips may even be available for streaming on Disney+. The agreement explicitly excludes actor likenesses and voices.
Beyond licensing its intellectual property, Disney will become a major OpenAI customer, utilizing its API to develop new products and consumer experiences across its businesses, including Disney+. Furthermore, Disney will deploy ChatGPT for its employees, signaling a major internal commitment to generative AI technology.
This strategic move grants Disney control over how its beloved characters are used in the surging field of AI-generated content.