Part 12/15:

Industry Reactions and Union Concerns

The Animation Guild’s official statement captures the core concern: that Disney’s AI strategy jeopardizes creators’ rights, and without proper protections, the barriers to exploitation will only grow. They stress that talent, likenesses, and voices must be protected legally, and warn that current agreements do not sufficiently address AI’s use.

Furthermore, there is widespread skepticism about Disney's commitment to fair use and copyright—particularly when, as Neon pointed out, Disney already owns much of the work being used to train AI. Critics argue that Disney's approach is less about legal compliance and more about consolidating control over their franchise and assets at the expense of creators’ rights.