Layoff Fears: Disney Employees Anxious After $1 Billion OpenAI Deal
Concerns over job security are growing among Disney employees following the company’s reported $1 billion partnership with OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT. The deal makes Disney the first major entertainment company to invest at this scale in the generative AI startup, signalling an aggressive push toward artificial intelligence to improve efficiency and productivity. However, for many employees, the move has raised fears of potential layoffs.
According to a Business Insider report citing three of eight Disney employees interviewed, there is anxiety that AI could eventually replace human roles, despite assurances from the company that creativity will remain human-led. Under the partnership, Disney’s vast intellectual property portfolio, including iconic characters and franchises, can be used in OpenAI’s text-to-video generator Sora, significantly expanding AI’s role in content creation.
Disney has sought to calm internal concerns by reiterating its “responsible and human-centric approach” to AI adoption. In an internal communication, the company reportedly stated that humans “are, and will remain, the creative engine” of Disney, emphasising that curiosity and imagination cannot be replicated by machines.
A senior employee familiar with Disney’s AI strategy acknowledged that while AI is a top corporate priority, it is not viewed as a complete solution. The employee noted that AI systems can make errors and lack the personalised judgment and emotional nuance that human workers bring to storytelling and operations.
AI tools are already being used across the company. Most employees interviewed said they regularly use Disney-approved platforms such as DisneyGPT, integrated into internal emails and documents, mainly for routine tasks like drafting messages. At the same time, some staff reportedly prefer external tools like Anthropic’s Claude, which they find more effective than sanctioned options.
Our Thoughts
Disney’s OpenAI partnership highlights the growing tension between innovation and workforce stability. While AI may reshape workflows, how transparently and responsibly it is deployed will determine whether it becomes a tool for empowerment or a source of long-term anxiety for creative professionals.