OpenAI makes deal to bring Disney characters to ChatGPT and Sora
Disney has agreed to invest $1bn (£740m) in OpenAI as part of a deal that will allow people to use many of its iconic characters in chatbot ChatGPT and video creation tool Sora.
This move, which is the first major studio to license parts of its catalog to the technology giant, could have major impacts on the studio’s future plans.
This means fans can create and share images and videos of more than 200 characters from Disney franchises including Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars.
The move comes as OpenAI faces increasing questions about how its fast-advancing technology is being used, and as concerns grow in Hollywood about the impact of artificial intelligence on the creative industries.
According to a blog post announcing the news, eligible characters include characters from the Disney films Zootopia, Moana and Encanto, as well as characters like Star Wars’ Luke Skywalker and Marvel’s Deadpool.
Of course, it also includes Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
However, it remains unclear what the characters’ voices will be like, as Disney said the deal “does not include any talent likenesses or voices.”
“The rapid development of artificial intelligence marks an important time for our industry,” Disney boss Bob Iger said.
“Through this collaboration with OpenAI, we will expand the scope of our storytelling in a thoughtful and responsible way.”
It’s expected that people will be able to start creating videos and images on Sora and ChatGPT in early 2026.
Sora’s hyper-realistic videos have proven popular in the US, but there has been significant criticism from those who claim it has also led some people to create offensive deepfakes of dead public figures.
OpenAI in October video tool’s ability is paused After the app produced “disrespectful” depictions of the civil rights leader, Dr. Creating images of Martin Luther King Jr.
The firm acknowledged the need for stronger security measures after clips emerged showing him saying disturbing things, sparking public outcry.
President John F. Kennedy, Queen Elizabeth II. Similar videos of Elizabeth and physicist and cosmologist Stephen Hawking were also widely disseminated.
In some cases, family members called on OpenAI to not allow videos to be made.
Zelda Williams, daughter of the late comedian Robin Williams, called on people to: stop posting your AI generated videos his father’s.
