OpenAI and Disney are creating a template for Hollywood AI adoption through a $1 billion investment and licensing deal that balances innovation with creator protection. The agreement grants Sora access to over 200 characters from Disney’s entertainment portfolio.
The three-year partnership announced Thursday allows Sora users to create short social videos featuring Disney characters through text-based prompts. These AI-generated videos can be viewed and shared across platforms, while the agreement specifically excludes any reproduction of talent likenesses or voices, establishing boundaries that could guide future industry deals.
Disney’s commitment to OpenAI extends into operational transformation. The entertainment company will deploy OpenAI’s tools for new product development and experiences, while implementing ChatGPT for employee use. This comprehensive approach demonstrates how entertainment companies can integrate AI across multiple business functions.
CEO Bob Iger described the collaboration as marking a critical moment for the entertainment sector. He emphasized Disney’s intention to responsibly extend its storytelling capabilities through generative AI while protecting creators and their work, language that could become standard for future Hollywood AI partnerships.
The entertainment industry has largely resisted AI companies, concerned about data usage and union relations. OpenAI has engaged with several major studios about Sora’s potential, but Disney’s agreement may serve as a blueprint for others. 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 AI avatars that can appear in videos with owner permission.