Disney and Adobe announced a multi-year strategic alliance Monday that extends their work across Disney's parks and cruise development pipelines, The Walt Disney Studios' StudioLAB, ESPN Edge and global marketing programs.
Adobe will serve as an official AI innovation partner of The Walt Disney Company. The agreement gives Disney teams early access to Firefly, Firefly Foundry, Premiere and Photoshop, along with engineering and research support.
The companies said the tools will support concept exploration in Disney innovation labs and development pipelines for parks and cruise projects. Disney has not named a specific attraction, ship or experience tied to the expanded agreement.
The Alliance Reaches StudioLAB and ESPN Edge
Adobe is joining StudioLAB as an innovation partner, working with Disney creatives and technologists on internal production workflows. ESPN and Adobe will also explore uses for AI in fan engagement, content delivery and ESPN's archive through ESPN Edge.
Adobe and Disney said projects with StudioLAB and ESPN Edge are already underway. Other work will roll out during the alliance's multi-year term, including appearances at Adobe Summit, Adobe MAX and other industry events.
The Imagineering Work Started Earlier
The broader agreement builds on the Firefly Foundry collaboration that Adobe and Walt Disney Imagineering announced June 16. Imagineering has been testing a sketch-to-image model for concept art and a custom model trained around Disney properties.
Those Imagineering tools were already in development before Monday's alliance announcement. The new agreement widens the relationship across Disney's entertainment, sports, experiences and marketing businesses.
Sources: Adobe and The Walt Disney Company announcement and Adobe's June Imagineering announcement.