Disney invests $1B in OpenAI in deal to bring characters like Mickey Mouse to Sora AI video tool

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Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. exploit / ɪkˈsplɔɪt / (v.) – to use something or someone for your own advantage, often unfairly
    Example:

    The company is exploiting cheap labor in other countries.


  2. deceased / dɪˈsist / (adj.) – no longer living; having passed away
    Example:

    Many people attended the funeral of the deceased artist.


  3. advocate / ˈæd vəˌkeɪt / (n.) – a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or idea
    Example:

    Environmental advocates are asking the government to protect forests.


  4. prohibit / proʊˈhɪb ɪt / (v.) – to officially stop something; to make something illegal or not allowed
    Example:

    They prohibited employees from sharing company information.


  5. lure / lʊər / (v.) – to convince someone to go somewhere or do something, often by offering something appealing
    Example:

    The store is luring new customers to buy its products using big discounts.


Article

Read the text below.

Disney is investing $1 billion in OpenAI and will bring characters such as Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, and Luke Skywalker to the AI company’s Sora video generation tool, in a licensing deal that the two companies announced on December 11.


At the same time, Disney went after Google, demanding the tech company stop exploiting its copyrighted characters to train its AI systems.


The OpenAI agreement makes the Walt Disney Co. the first major content licensing partner for Sora, which uses generative artificial intelligence to create short videos.


Under the three-year licensing deal, fans will be able to use Sora to generate and share videos based on more than 200 Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars characters.


AI video generators like Sora have wowed with their ability to quickly create realistic clips based merely on text prompts. But a flood of such videos on social media, including clips depicting celebrities and deceased public figures, has raised worries about “AI slop” crowding out human-created work alongside concerns about misinformation, deepfakes, and copyright.


Disney and OpenAI said they are committed to responsible use of AI that protects the safety of users and the rights of creators.


“This agreement shows how AI companies and creative leaders can work together responsibly to promote innovation that benefits society, respect the importance of creativity, and help works reach vast new audiences,” OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said.


Disney CEO Robert Iger said the deal will “extend the reach of our storytelling through generative AI, while respecting and protecting creators and their works.”


As part of the deal, some user-generated Sora videos will be made available on the Disney+ streaming service.


Children’s advocates, however, criticized the move. Josh Golin, executive director of Fairplay, said Disney’s decision to partner with OpenAI “is a betrayal of countless children around the world who adore Mickey Mouse, Frozen, and Toy Story. OpenAI claims children are prohibited from using Sora, yet here they are luring young kids to their platform using some of their favorite characters.” Disney, he added, is “aiding and abetting OpenAI’s efforts to addict young children to its unsafe platform and products.”


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Children’s advocates criticized Disney for partnering with OpenAI, saying that children are prohibited from using Sora and the deal could attract young children to AI platforms. In your opinion, what negative impact can this deal have on children? Do you agree with the statement that Disney is “aiding and abetting OpenAI’s efforts to addict young children to its unsafe platform and products?” Why do you say so? Discuss.
  • In your opinion, how can entertainment companies like Disney balance their business of entertaining people and keeping children safe? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Under the three-year licensing deal, fans will be able to use Sora to generate and share videos based on more than 200 Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars characters. Do you think this service is necessary? Why or why not? In your opinion, what kind of users can benefit from this service? Discuss.
  • AI video generators like Sora have wowed with their ability to quickly create realistic clips based merely on text prompts. Have you tried using any AI video generators? If yes, what do you think about it? If no, how do you feel about the use of AI to generate videos using text prompts (ex. it’s cool, it destroys human creativity)? Discuss.