Disney Brings Beloved Characters to ChatGPT After $1 Billion OpenAI Deal

Disney is deepening its push into artificial intelligence with a $1 billion investment in OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, in a far-reaching deal that will also license Disney’s iconic characters for use within OpenAI’s new conversational AI platform, Sora.

The agreement positions Disney at the forefront of the entertainment industry’s growing intersection with generative AI, blending the company’s extensive character library with OpenAI’s advanced technology. Under the terms of the partnership, OpenAI will deploy select Disney intellectual property — spanning its animation classics, Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm — across AI-driven storytelling and interactive experiences within ChatGPT Sora.

Sources familiar with the rollout say users will be able to engage directly with Disney characters through immersive dialogues powered by Sora, with potential extensions into digital parks, virtual assistants, and cross-platform storytelling initiatives.

A limited launch is expected to debut in 2026 as Disney explores new ways to integrate AI into consumer experiences.

“This collaboration continues Disney’s legacy of innovation, combining our storytelling heritage with cutting-edge technology to reach audiences in remarkable new ways,” said Disney CEO Bob Iger in a statement.

For OpenAI, Disney’s backing represents both a financial boost and a creative endorsement from one of the world’s most influential content companies. The partnership could accelerate mainstream adoption of AI entertainment tools while positioning ChatGPT Sora as a leader in branded and interactive media spaces.

The investment also signals an industry-wide shift as studios seek to capture value in AI-driven content creation, distribution, and personalization. With Disney’s move, legacy media joins a growing list of entertainment heavyweights aligning with AI firms to future-proof storytelling — marking what could be a pivotal step in Hollywood’s technological reinvention.