Disney to invest $1 bln in OpenAI and license characters for use in AI video tools
EL.KZ Информационно-познавательный портал
Disney has agreed to invest $1bn (£740m) in OpenAI as part of a deal which will let people use many of its iconic characters in the chatbot ChatGPT and video-generation tool Sora, El.kz cites BBC.
It is the first major studio to license parts of its catalogue to the tech giant, in a move which could have major implications for the studio's future plans.
It means fans will be able to generate and share pictures and videos of more than 200 characters from Disney's franchises, including Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars.
The move comes as OpenAI faces mounting questions about how its rapidly advancing tech is used - and as anxiety in Hollywood increases over the impact of AI on the creative industries.
According to a blog post announcing the news, the list of eligible characters include those from Disney films Zootopia, Moana and Encanto - as well as characters like Star Wars' Luke Skywalker and Marvel's Deadpool.
It, of course, also includes Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
But quite how the characters will sound remains unclear, as Disney said the agreement "does not include any talent likenesses or voices".
"The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence marks an important moment for our industry," Disney boss Bob Iger said.
"Through this collaboration with OpenAI we will thoughtfully and responsibly extend the reach of our storytelling."
People are expected to be able to begin making the videos and images in Sora and ChatGPT in early 2026.
The deal comes amid reports Disney lawyers sent Google a cease-and-desist letter on Wednesday accusing the tech firm of infringing its copyrights "on a massive scale".
Joel Smith, intellectual property partner at law firm Simmons & Simmons, said Disney's OpenAI deal showed "rights owners and major AI developers are moving fast to strike collaborative licensing deals to access content for training and future use".
Equity, the entertainment trade union, says actors' rights need to be protected. The group is currently balloting thousands of performers asking if they are willing to refuse being digitally scanned on set to push for stronger AI safeguards.
Cathy Sweet, Equity's head of TV and Film, said the deal between Disney and OpenAI reinforced "exactly why our members are fighting for AI protections".
"The recorded material that will be sold on as part of this eye-watering big money deal are the result of creatives' professional work, and their rights must be protected," she said.
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