OpenAI–Disney Deal Triggers Anxiety in Creative Industry
December 13, 2025 — ZenX News Desk
A global union representing creative professionals has warned that a major licensing agreement between Disney and OpenAI has sparked serious concern among artists and media workers. The reported $1bn deal will allow Disney-owned characters to be used within OpenAI’s chatbot ChatGPT and its AI video tool, Sora.
Under the agreement, users will be able to create and share AI-generated images and videos featuring more than 200 characters from Disney’s vast portfolio, including Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars franchises. This makes Disney the first major Hollywood studio to formally license its content to OpenAI.
Sag-Aftra, which represents around 170,000 performers worldwide, said both companies had assured the union that the deal does not permit the use...