OpenAI secures $1bn investment from Disney in historic licensing deal

Under the three-year licensing arrangement, Sora will gain access to a library of more than 200 animated, masked and creature characters from Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars, enabling the platform to generate short, fan-prompted social videos.

These creations will draw from a wide range of costumes, props, vehicles and iconic environments.

Additionally, ChatGPT Images will also be able to quickly produce fully generated images using the same intellectual property.

However, the agreement explicitly excludes any talent likenesses or voices, the technology giant revealed.

In addition to licensing content, Disney will become a major OpenAI customer, deploying OpenAI’s APIs to build new tools, products, and experiences, including features for Disney+, and will roll out ChatGPT to employees across the company.

Alongside this, Disney will also invest $1 billion in OpenAI as part of the deal and will receive warrants allowing it to purchase additional equity in the future.

The Walt Disney Company, CEO, Robert A. Iger said: “Technological innovation has continually shaped the evolution of entertainment, bringing with it new ways to create and share great stories with the world.

“The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence marks an important moment for our industry, and through this collaboration with OpenAI we will thoughtfully and responsibly extend the reach of our storytelling through generative AI, while respecting and protecting creators and their works.

“Bringing together Disney’s iconic stories and characters with OpenAI’s ground-breaking technology puts imagination and creativity directly into the hands of Disney fans in ways we’ve never seen before, giving them richer and more personal ways to connect with the Disney characters and stories they love.”

OpenAI CEO, co-founder Sam Altman, continued: “Disney is the global gold standard for storytelling, and we’re excited to partner to allow Sora and ChatGPT Images to expand the way people create and experience great content.

“This agreement shows how AI companies and creative leaders can work together responsibly to promote innovation that benefits society, respect the importance of creativity, and help works reach vast new audiences.”

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