Disney CEO Bob Iger talked about the company's large OpenAI investment in an interview with CNBC and said creators shouldn't feel threatened by the deal.
After Disney announced a $1 billion equity investment in OpenAI, CEO Bob Iger assured in an interview Thursday that creators' jobs will not be threatened.
The rise of AI has been keenly felt by those in the entertainment industry who are wary of being replaced, recognizing that rapidly improving AI programs can instantly create images, animations, and even voice acting. In particular, Sora is a program that allows users to create short videos with images and audio based on their requests, just by typing.
Disney, which is very cautious about how its brand is perceived, recently signed a major deal with OpenAI that will allow Sora users to create AI-generated videos using Disney's copyrighted characters.
“This is a great opportunity for the company to allow consumers to interact with our characters on perhaps the most modern technology and media platform today,” Iger said in an interview Thursday on CNBC's “Squawk on the Streets.” “And it's important not only because it gives consumers and users that opportunity, but also because in this agreement OpenAI respects and values our creativity, not just our characters, but the creativity of the people who created those characters. So this essentially gives us the opportunity to be a part of this incredible, breathtaking growth in AI and new forms of media and entertainment.”
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Disney CEO Bob Iger said creators shouldn't feel threatened by the investment and partnership, arguing that it actually respects the work of creators. (VCG/VCG via Getty Images / Getty Images)
More than 200 characters, ranging from Star Wars' Darth Vader to Mickey Mouse to Princess Cinderella, will be available on the platform through licensing agreements lasting three years. Although the initiative does not include voice actors, Disney's CEO assured that other creators will not be under threat of being replaced.
“We're not including names or likenesses, we're not including the voices of the characters, so in reality this is in no way meant to be a threat to the creators,” he said. “Actually, it's the opposite. There's a licensing fee for it, so I think it honors and respects them.”
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Disney has historically been very careful and cautious with its brands, ensuring that safeguards are in place when using family-friendly characters. (Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG via Getty Images/Getty Images)
Next, we talked about guardrails to ensure Disney-owned characters are used responsibly.
“Another benefit is that it gives you peace of mind that OpenAI is basically putting guardrails on how these can be used, so from a consumer perspective there's really nothing to worry about. So this is a safe environment and a safe way for consumers to engage with characters in new ways,” he said.
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Disney holds the rights to some of the world's most iconic and well-known characters, from the Walt Disney Company's original works to other properties the company has purchased rights to over the years. (Photo by: Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images / Getty Images)
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