The Walt Disney Company was announced on Thursday that it has signed a three-year partnership with OpenAI that will bring its iconic characters to the company’s Sora AI video generator. Disney is also making a $1 billion investment in OpenAI.
Launched in September, Sora allows users to create short videos using simple messages. With this new deal, users will be able to draw from more than 200 animated characters, with masks and creatures from Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars, including costumes, scenery, vehicles and more.
These characters include iconic faces like Mickey Mouse, Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Baymax, Simba, as well as characters from Encanto, Frozen, Inside Out, Moana, Monsters Inc., Toy Story, Up and Zootopia. Users will also be able to download animated or illustrated versions of Marvel and Lucasfilm characters such as Black Panther, Captain America, Deadpool, Groot, Iron Man, Darth Vader, Han Solo, Stormtroopers and more.
Users will also be able to draw from these characters while using ChatGPT Images, the feature in ChatGPT that allows users to create graphics using text prompts.
The deal does not include talent dummies or voices, Disney says.
“The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence marks an important moment for our industry, and through this partnership with OpenAI we will thoughtfully and responsibly expand the reach of our storytelling through genetic artificial intelligence while respecting and protecting creators and their works,” said Disney CEO Bob Iger.
Disney says that alongside the deal, it will “become a major customer of OpenAI,” using its APIs to build new products, tools and experiences, including Disney+.
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“Disney is the global gold standard for storytelling, and we’re excited to partner to enable Sora and ChatGPT Images to expand the way people create and experience great content,” Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI, said in a statement. “This agreement shows how AI companies and creative leaders can work together responsibly to drive innovation that benefits society, respects the importance of creativity, and helps projects reach massive new audiences.”
It’s worth noting that Disney sued AI creation platform Midjourney for ignoring requests to stop infringing its intellectual property rights. Disney also sent a cease and desist letter to Character.AI, calling on the chatbot company to remove Disney characters from the millions of AI companions on its platform.
Disney’s deal with OpenAI shows that the company isn’t completely closing the door on AI platforms.
