Disney is becoming an AI company, at this point it's simply a matter of who they choose as a partner. For me, this being resolved means that Disney has decided, one way or another. By rumors and press reports, with which my opinion aligns, a deal between OpenAI and Disney has seemed close many times over the last year, but it looks like it's coming down to this week. To me, this decision is a huge signal for who will be leading the race a year from now. It's far bigger than the IP (I had to avoid starting this sentence with "It's not just the IP..." to avoid a false pattern signal, but that is the natural flow!). It's also the fact that as soon as Disney forms this partnership and starts using AI for user-created content - which will begin with video shorts on Disney+ - it will use its immense media power to broadcast that AI is a legitimate creative tool and will actively encourage its use. And every time they're onstage doing this, whoever lands the partnership will have their platform promoted alongside them. To me this is the biggest decision of the year, and whoever wins it will have immense main-character energy in 2026.

Also, I know most people are thinking this is a two horse race, but after what Runway has pulled off this year they can't be counted out until this is over.

For context, this is Bob Iger on the earnings call 48 hours ago: