The Walt Disney Company is making a $1 billion equity investment in OpenAI as part of a landmark agreement that includes bringing its treasure trove of characters to Sora, the company’s short-form generative AI video platform.
Via a three-year licensing agreement, Sora will be able to tap into more than 200 Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars characters to generate short, user-prompted social videos that can be shared by fans. A selection of these Sora-generated short-form videos will be accessible on Disney+. The agreement also extends to ChatGPT Images, but excludes talent likenesses and voices.
The companies have affirmed a shared commitment to the responsible use of AI such that user safety and creators’ rights are protected. The companies maintain that they will focus on “human-centered AI that respects the creative industries and expands what is possible for storytelling.”
Disney will also become a OpenAI customer, accessing its APIs to build new products, tools, and experiences, including for Disney+, and deploying ChatGPT for its employees.
Disney is the first major content licensing partner on Sora. Users will be able to begin generating videos and images in early 2026.
“Technological innovation has continually shaped the evolution of entertainment, bringing with it new ways to create and share great stories with the world,” said Robert A. Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company. “The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence marks an important moment for our industry, and through this collaboration with OpenAI we will thoughtfully and responsibly extend the reach of our storytelling through generative AI, while respecting and protecting creators and their works. Bringing together Disney’s iconic stories and characters with OpenAI’s groundbreaking technology puts imagination and creativity directly into the hands of Disney fans in ways we’ve never seen before, giving them richer and more personal ways to connect with the Disney characters and stories they love.”
“Disney is the global gold standard for storytelling, and we’re excited to partner to allow Sora and ChatGPT Images to expand the way people create and experience great content,” said Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI. “This agreement shows how AI companies and creative leaders can work together responsibly to promote innovation that benefits society, respect the importance of creativity, and help works reach vast new audiences.”
