Disney to invest $1bn into OpenAI

The arrangement is the biggest to date between an AI company and a media group © Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty ImagesDisney to invest $1bn into OpenAI on x (opens in a new window)Disney to invest $1bn into OpenAI on facebook (opens in a new window)Disney to invest $1bn into OpenAI on linkedin (opens in a new window)Disney to invest $1bn into OpenAI on whatsapp (opens in a new window) Save Disney to invest $1bn into OpenAI on x (opens in a new window)Disney to invest $1bn into OpenAI on facebook (opens in a new window)Disney to invest $1bn into OpenAI on linkedin (opens in a new window)Disney to invest $1bn into OpenAI on whatsapp (opens in a new window) Save George Hammond in San FranciscoPublishedDecember 11 2025Jump to comments sectionPrint this pageStay informed with free updatesSimply sign up to the Artificial intelligence myFT Digest -- delivered directly to your inbox.The Walt Disney Company has agreed to invest $1bn into OpenAI as part of a deal in which the artificial intelligence start-up will use Disney characters in its flagship products.As part of the three-year deal, announced on Thursday, Disney will make more than 200 Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars characters available within ChatGPT and Sora, OpenAI’s video-generation tool. The company will also take a $1bn stake in the $500bn start-up, as well as warrants to purchase additional equity at a later date.“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,” said Disney chief executive Bob Iger.The arrangement is the biggest to date between an AI company and a media group. OpenAI and rivals have faced lawsuits from multiple publishers over the use of proprietary data to train AI models. The deal announced on Thursday does not allow OpenAI to use Disney’s intellectual property to train its model. Disney shares were up 0.4 per cent in pre-market trading on Thursday following the announcement. The media company’s stock has fallen about 2.3 per cent so far in 2025 as of Wednesday’s closing bell, giving it a market capitalisation of almost $195bn.This is a developing storyReuse this content (opens in new window) CommentsJump to comments sectionPromoted Content Follow the topics in this article US companies Add to myFT Technology sector Add to myFT Media Add to myFT Artificial intelligence Add to myFT Walt Disney Co Add to myFT CommentsThe Walt Disney Company has agreed to invest $1bn into OpenAI as part of a deal in which the artificial intelligence start-up will use Disney characters in its flagship products.As part of the three-year deal, announced on Thursday, Disney will make more than 200 Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars characters available within ChatGPT and Sora, OpenAI’s video-generation tool. The company will also take a $1bn stake in the $500bn start-up, as well as warrants to purchase additional equity at a later date.“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,” said Disney chief executive Bob Iger.The arrangement is the biggest to date between an AI company and a media group. OpenAI and rivals have faced lawsuits from multiple publishers over the use of proprietary data to train AI models. The deal announced on Thursday does not allow OpenAI to use Disney’s intellectual property to train its model. Disney shares were up 0.4 per cent in pre-market trading on Thursday following the announcement. The media company’s stock has fallen about 2.3 per cent so far in 2025 as of Wednesday’s closing bell, giving it a market capitalisation of almost $195bn.This is a developing story