Disney CEO Bob Iger Meets with White House Over AI Concerns

Washington, D.C., September 2, 2025 - Disney Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger convened with senior White House officials today to address growing apprehensions about the potential misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) with respect to the company’s valuable characters and stories. Joined by Disney’s legal chief, Horacio Gutierrez, Iger urged policymakers to establish robust protections for intellectual property as AI technologies become ever more integrated into entertainment and media production.

In a closed‐door session with advisors from President Trump’s AI task force, Iger emphasized that while Disney is already deploying AI tools across its divisions-from animation pipelines to theme-park operations-unchecked AI training on copyrighted material threatens to dilute the creative value that underpins the studio’s brand. “It’s crucial as we embrace technological innovation that we continue to respect the creative community and safeguard the heart of our company-our stories and characters,” Iger said.

Gutierrez highlighted ongoing litigation against AI developers, noting that Disney and Universal have collectively sued the startup Midjourney for allegedly using copyrighted Disney images without permission to train its image-generation models. “Our goal today was to make clear that fair use must not become a loophole for wholesale appropriation of artists’ work,” Gutierrez remarked.

Administration officials reportedly listened attentively, acknowledging the need to balance AI advancement with creators’ rights. White House spokesperson Lisa Bennett stated, “We appreciate Disney’s leadership in this space and will consider their input as we finalize our national AI policy.” A draft of that policy is expected later this month, potentially shaping future legislation on AI training data and copyright enforcement.

Iger’s visit underscores the escalating tensions between Hollywood and Silicon Valley over AI’s impact on intellectual property-a debate that has mobilized artists, writers, and directors alongside major studios. As Disney accelerates its own AI initiatives, the company aims to help craft a regulatory framework that fosters innovation without undermining the creative engines of the entertainment industry.