Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly making waves in the tech community, with concerns mounting over its potential to blur the lines between original content and AI-generated material. Many creators are worried about AI misusing intellectual property, and now Disney’s CEO, Bob Iger, is stepping into the debate. 
Reports indicate that Iger has met with White House officials to voice concerns about AI’s impact on Disney’s iconic characters and stories.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Iger’s meeting focused on the risks AI poses to creative industries, particularly the potential for AI to replicate Disney’s well-known characters and stories without permission. The issue at hand is the unauthorized use of copyrighted material by AI systems, which could lead to improper and irresponsible use.
Disney’s concerns are not isolated. Actress and director Natasha Lyonne recently joined forces with Hollywood artists to send a letter to the Trump administration, warning about the dangers AI poses to the creative world. The letter, which gained over 400 signatures, was prompted by the news that the White House was working on an AI policy. Lyonne is also involved in the production of Asteria, a film using AI tools trained on licensed content to set a standard for ethical AI use in the industry.
The White House is currently working on an AI strategy that could change laws and regulations surrounding content creation. While tech companies advocate for broader AI use, many artists feel that AI should not be allowed to create content without consent, fearing it could replace human creators and threaten their livelihoods. Legal actions have already begun, with Disney and Universal filing lawsuits against AI tool Midjourney for using copyrighted images to train its AI. The conflict between AI and intellectual property rights is only intensifying, raising concerns that the entertainment industry could be overwhelmed by the rapid advancement of AI technology.