The most important news pieces from the AI world are here for you, whether you’re an AI enthusiast or just wish to keep an eye on what’s going on.
Focus Topic: Disney bets $1B on AI storytelling – what this really means
The entertainment industry just got a wake-up call. In a move that could reshape how stories are told and who gets to tell them, Disney signed a landmark three-year licensing deal with OpenAI – worth $1 billion in equity – to bring over 200 of its beloved characters into the hands of fans through AI-generated video. From Marvel and Pixar to Star Wars and classics like Mickey Mouse, users will soon be able to generate short, fan-inspired videos via Sora and images via ChatGPT, starting in early 2026.
But this isn’t just another licensing deal. Disney will also become a major OpenAI customer, using its APIs internally for product development, content workflows, and even Disney+ enhancements. This partnership signals a huge shift: storytelling is moving from studio-only to collaborative, AI-augmented co-creation. While the agreement strictly excludes human talent’s likenesses and voices, Disney’s willingness to experiment here shows that AI is no longer a future threat – it’s a present opportunity.
The deal, however, hasn’t landed without controversy. Creative unions and talent reps are raising serious concerns over the long-term implications. If generative AI can remix characters, scenes, and themes with fan prompts, what’s left for writers, designers, and directors? Disney promises responsible AI use, but history suggests that once creative workflows shift, it’s hard to go back. This move forces the entertainment world to urgently rethink its business models and IP strategies in the AI age.
Still, it’s easy to see the appeal. A kid can now generate a scene where Moana teams up with Groot in Tatooine, or create their own Marvel-style hero adventure in seconds. If done right, Disney’s pivot could open the doors to more personal, playful, and globally inclusive storytelling than ever before. The question now is: who tells the story, and who gets paid for it?
LLMs & AI Models
- OpenAI launched GPT-5.2, featuring Instant, Thinking, and Pro variants that outperform human experts in 71% of tasks.
- Google released an upgraded Deep Research agent that autonomously searches, filters, and plans using Gemini 3 Pro for better in-depth queries.
- Nous Research introduced Nomos 1, a 30B parameter model that scored 87/120 on the elite Putnam math exam, outperforming rivals.
- Microsoft analyzed 37.5M Copilot chats, finding peak use in wellness, existential topics at night, and growing year-end social queries.
- Mistral launched Devstral 2, a compact 123B model rivaling top open models in SWE-bench results; also introduced CLI agent Vibe.
- OpenAI published its first Enterprise AI report, showing 75% of workers perform better and save 40–60 mins daily with ChatGPT.
- Poetiq, a 6-person startup, topped the ARC-AGI-2 leaderboard with a model orchestrated from existing systems, beating Gemini 3 Deep Think.
- OpenAI appointed Denise Dresser, ex-Slack CEO, as new Chief Revenue Officer to lead its enterprise strategy.
New Tools
- Cursor launched a visual editor for drag-and-drop UI creation, with AI agents updating backend code automatically to speed up development.
- Runway unveiled GWM-1, a real-time world simulation model that enables interactive and explorable environments.
- Google Labs introduced Disco, an experimental AI browser that creates custom web apps based on user browsing sessions.
- ElevenLabs partnered with Metato bring realistic voice AI to Instagram, Horizon, and more, enabling richer creator tools.
- Core Devices revealed Index 01, an AI-powered offline memory ring that transcribes thoughts into reminders and notes without an internet connection.
- Google announced AI smart glasseslaunching in 2026 with partners like Samsung and Gentle Monster, focusing on lightweight design.
- Anthropic launched Claude Codefor Slack, automating dev workflows and integrating coding directly into team chats.
- Adobe integrated Photoshop and Acrobat tools directly into ChatGPT, enabling editing and design actions inside the chat window.
👉 Explore these tools: Cursor | Runway GWM-1 | Disco | Claude Code | Adobe x ChatGPT
Other Quick Picks
- TIME named AI architects like Altman, Hassabis, and Musk as 2025’s People of the Year for shaping the AI era.
- McDonald’s Netherlands pulled its AI-generated holiday ad after backlash, calling it a learning moment in AI experimentation.
- Microsoft’s GigaTIME model turns cheap tissue samples into high-value cancer diagnostics, revealing over 1200 disease-related patterns.
- Anthropic and Accenture will train 30,000 consultants to use Claude, accelerating enterprise AI rollout.
- Survey shows 62% of scientists use AI, but 87% worry about errors, over-reliance, and data security risks.
- Italian researchers found that poetic phrasing can trick AI safeguards, with Gemini 2.5 Pro failing all safety tests.
- Australia passed a law banning social media for under-16s, requiring ID verification or risking massive fines.
🇪🇪 AI News from Estonia
- Veriff reported record results in 2025, doubling revenue past $100M, driven by a 30x surge in identity verification via AI. Read here.
- Bolt partnered with Stellantis to develop 100,000 autonomous vehicles by 2035, with testing starting in 2026. Read here.
- ENEFIT won Estonia’s first quantum hackathon with a solution using quantum computing for business problems. Read here.
- Elisa completed a company-wide AI training program, giving all employees practical AI skills and secure tool access. Read here.
🎙️ AIPowerment Podcast dropped a new episodefeaturing Henrik Trasberg, anEU AI regulation expert, discussing theAI Act and its impact on businesses.
🎧 Listen to AIPowerment Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
Want to stay in the loop?
Straight to your inbox: practical AI updates, finance use cases, tools to try, and upcoming trainings.
I cut the noise and send only what’s actually useful.
💼 Exploring how to make AI work in finance? Let’s talk practical use cases – connect with Gerlyn Tiigemäe for expert guidance.
📚 If you would like to participate in one of my trainings or listen to speaking engagements, here are the upcoming ones:
- Training “AI võimalused finantsvaldkonnas” @ Äripäeva Akadeemia, last free spots for December – information
- Training “AI võimalused projektijuhtimises” @ Äripäeva Akadeemia, next trainings in 2026 – information
- Training “AI assistendi roll ja võimalused”, 03.02.2026 – information
