Disney Invests $1B In OpenAI, Studio Assets Heading To Sora, ChatGPT
More than 200 characters from Disney’s portfolio will be available to users of the video-generating platform Sora and image-generating portion of ChatGPT.
More than 200 characters from Disney’s portfolio will be available to users of the video-generating platform Sora and image-generating portion of ChatGPT.
Featuring narrative development by Pixar’s Dan Scanlon. the app matches kids to animated pen-pals, helping them build empathy and stronger communication skills.
The two companies outlined their plans today for new AI tools, stressing artist control and creativity as the industry navigates growing automation anxieties.
Wild Child Animation details the innovative Unreal Engine pipeline and hybrid 2D/CG techniques used to bring the new series ‘Piripenguins’ to life.
Disney is preparing new user-facing genAI tools that will let subscribers create short-form moments with Disney characters in a carefully controlled sandbox.
OpenAI says it will give creators more control over how their characters appear in Sora and plans revenue sharing after backlash to its IP opt-out model.
OpenAI has revealed it will freely incorporate copyrighted material into its Sora model unless rights holders formally opt out.
French creators’ groups oppose OpenAI’s reported plan to debut an AI-generated animated film at Cannes, urging protection of human-led artistry.
OpenAI’s AI-backed ‘Critterz’ is sold as a test of ‘democratizing’ animation, a framing that feels disingenuous in today’s industry context.
KitBash3D and Greyscalegorilla join forces to expand 3D assets, plugins, and workflows, promising to speed up the creative process.
Last week, Warner Bros. sued Midjourney – like Disney and Universal did before – and Anthropic agreed to pay $1.5B for scraping protected literature.
Luminate’s 2025 report shows how generative AI is reshaping animation jobs, putting some roles at risk, changing others, and creating new positions.
Netflix outlines how AI can and can’t be used in production, stressing it won’t replace artists and requires approval for key visuals or talent replication.
Midjourney responds to Disney and Universal’s lawsuit, arguing fair use and accusing studios of using GenAI while trying to restrict it for others.
Disney explored using AI in its feature films, including a deepfake Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson in the live-action ‘Moana’ remake, but cut it from the final film.
Disney’s 2025 Accelerator selects Animaj, DramaBox, Haddy, and Liminal Space to explore new opportunities in animation, AI, and immersive media.
“Traditionally, animators spend 70% of their time on technical grunt work and only 30% on actual creative performance,” says co-founder Willem Demmers. “Motorica flips that.”
Animaj’s business model is unique compared to other animation AI startups because it is also a content company that owns and monetizes children’s IP.
Over two dozen entertainment unions in Europe and North America are calling for action to prevent artificial intelligence from taking over the animation industry.
Third Floor co-founder Josh Wassung explains how they built an animation studio around “Predator: Killer of Killers.”