Amidst OpenAI CEO Sam Altman axing its Sora AI video platform, Disney’s planned $1 billion investment in the platform is no more. As OpenAI shifts gears and moves away from Sora, it appears Disney was given no say in the deal quickly unraveling. Disney’s $1 billion investment was set to allow Sora access to an expansive library of Disney content, characters, and brands for use in generative AI videos. This would have included Disney’s vast library of characters, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars characters. With Disney CEO Bob Iger officially exiting his post on March 18, it is now up to new CEO Josh D’Amaro to reconnect the dots and plan a revised course for Disney into the future.
The partnership was not just a pure, singular investment into Sora. Jake Kanter of Deadline states, “Disney planned to use the company’s artificial intelligence to build new products, tools, and experiences, as well as officially deploying ChatGPT for its employees.” With AI running rampant on social media, the deal signaled that Disney had made the conscious decision to take the plunge and no longer allow their catalogue to be utilized without profitability for the Mouse House.
Upon the partnership originally being announced, Disney also took a stand against Google’s AI platforms. Sending a cease and desist letter to the tech titan, they would be refusing to continue allowing their brands to be utilized as a “virtual vending machine” on Google’s AI platforms. While it is currently unknown what Disney’s next venture into AI will be, the company released a statement where it is hinted that they will be willing to “engage” with other AI platforms.
The planned investment was set to be a groundbreaking maneuver that saw the artistry of Hollywood combining with big tech. For any future updates on this story and others like it, stay with us at MXDWN.
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