Disney magic meets OpenAI innovation: generative AI brings its iconic characters to life

Disney and OpenAI have announced a three-year partnership that includes a £1 billion investment. The agreement allows more than 200 characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars to be used in Sora (an AI video generation tool) and ChatGPT Images, expressly excluding actors' voices and images.

Key points:

• Duration and investment: three-yearcontract with a £1 billion investment by Disney in OpenAI.
• Character licence: access to more than 200 iconic characters (Mickey, Elsa, Iron Man, Darth Vader, etc.) to generate videos and images with AI.
• Important exclusions: the use of actors' voices or likenesses is not permitted, protecting talent rights.
• Multimedia integration: the agreement includes both video generation in Sora and static images in ChatGPT Images.
• Strategic customer: Disney will use OpenAI's APIs to develop internal products and experiences for Disney+, adopting generative AI on a large scale.
• Precedent in content: this represents a model partnership between a major studio and an AI company, combining licensing, investment and strict safeguards.

This agreement sets a precedent in the Hollywood industry: it shows that the use of intellectual property for AI can be advanced through formal agreements, investment and controls, rather than through litigation or unauthorised use.

Access the full article published on OpenIA here.