Disney and Adobe team up to build custom AI models
Disney named Adobe its "Official AI Innovation Partner" in a multiyear deal to build private generative AI models trained on Disney's own characters and styles. Theme park designers are already using them; ESPN and the studio's StudioLAB come next.
AI-assisted · US Brief desk · Sources listed below
What happened
Disney and Adobe announced a multiyear alliance Monday under which Adobe becomes Disney's "Official AI Innovation Partner." The two will build generative AI models trained on Disney's own properties, starting with theme park design and concept art. The models will be private and owned by Disney, Reuters reported.
What Disney gets: Early access to Adobe's Firefly image generator, its Firefly Foundry custom-model service, Premiere and Photoshop, along with dedicated Adobe engineers and researchers, the companies said. Adobe also joins Disney's StudioLAB innovation program and will work with ESPN on using AI with sports fans and ESPN's archive.
Already in use: Walt Disney Imagineering's research arm is using Firefly Foundry for a "sketch-to-image model that transforms hand-drawn concepts into fully rendered 2D concept art," plus an image model that makes "on-brand, franchise-accurate creative assets," according to the release.
Why it matters
Disney owns one of Hollywood's largest libraries of characters and franchises, and this deal customizes AI models on that catalog. The companies say the models are trained on "character attributes, environments, visual styles" to produce "commercially safe and production-ready outputs."
More context
From the release: "Today's announcement marks the next chapter of the relationship," said Hannah Elsakr, an Adobe vice president for generative AI ventures. Disney's Becca Vodnoy said the deal gives "our creative teams new ways to explore and develop their ideas." The announcement came at Adobe's MAX conference, which runs Nov. 10–12 in Miami, Variety reported.
What's still unknown: The release did not include financial terms. It also did not say whether the custom models will be used in finished films or shows, or how Disney's artists will be involved beyond the "artist-led" description in the release.
3 listed sources
- Adobe and The Walt Disney Company, Adobe and The Walt Disney Company Announce Multi-Year Strategic Alliance to Support Disney Innovation with New AI-Powered Tools, Nov. 9, 2026
- Reuters (Deborah Mary Sophia) via Investing.com, Disney, Adobe to co-develop custom AI models tailored for media giant, Nov. 9, 2026
- Variety (Todd Spangler), Disney Taps Adobe as 'Official AI Innovation Partner' Under Multiyear Pact, Nov. 9, 2026
References listed by US Brief; a source count is not a verification score.
Editorial sourcing notes
Deal terms as described, quotes and the Imagineering tools are from the Nov. 9 Adobe and Disney joint release. The point that the models will be private to Disney is from Reuters. The Adobe MAX dates are from Variety. The release did not include financial terms. Photos show Adobe's San Jose headquarters (file photo, 2023) and Walt Disney Imagineering's Glendale headquarters (file photo, 2021).
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