Disney is reshaping Hollywood content with a $1 billion investment in OpenAI.

 

Disney

Disney is reshaping Hollywood content with a $1 billion investment in OpenAI.

Walt Disney will invest $1 billion in OpenAI and allow the startup to use characters from the worlds of Star Wars, Pixar and Marvel in its AI-powered video maker Sora, in a deal that could reshape the content industry in Hollywood.

The partnership, announced on Thursday and lasting three years, is a significant step in Hollywood's adoption of generative artificial intelligence, bypassing concerns about the impact of AI on creative jobs and intellectual property rights.

As part of the licensing deal, the apps Sora and ChatGBT Images will begin creating videos using licensed Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse, Cinderella and Mufasa, starting early next year, according to Reuters.

Disney CEO Bob Iger said, "Through this collaboration with OpenAI, we will thoughtfully and responsibly expand our storytelling capabilities through generative AI, while respecting and protecting creators and their work."

The deal also includes restrictions to protect against the portrayal of the characters in inappropriate situations.
An informed source said that Disney also plans to use OpenAI tools for internal purposes to support film production, as it looks to increase efficiency.

This partnership comes after criticism from Creative Artists, Hollywood's top talent agency, of OpenAI for exposing artists to "significant risks" through the Sora app and questioning whether creators will be compensated for their work.