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How Iger Learned to Love A.I.

Disney, one of the most copyright-protective companies in Hollywood, is bear-hugging OpenAI and going to war with Google. But monetizing digital knockoffs of its most iconic characters (and getting on the cap table with Altman) is just the start.

bob iger
Iger realizes that we’re entering an era where the disruption isn’t centered around distribution but creation, Julia Alexander told Ian. Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Ian Krietzberg
December 18, 2025

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Even for media insiders, Disney’s recent decision to form a pact with OpenAI was somewhat astounding. For one, of course, Disney has always been ultra-protective of its copyrights. And until last week, the company had been conspicuously quiet about its stance on artificial intelligence. Then, in one fell swoop, Disney invested a billion dollars in OpenAI; licensed all of its most beloved characters to Sora, tossing icons like Mickey, Darth Vader, and Iron Man into the ultimate A.I. slop-pool; and sent a cease-and-desist letter to Google, resulting in the removal of dozens of A.I.-generated videos featuring Disney I.P. on YouTube.