Disney employees are increasingly using AI tools as the company accelerates its integration of artificial intelligence across operations, following a major partnership with OpenAI. While the $1 billion deal with OpenAI is a high-profile move, internal efforts have been building for months, with staff gaining access to tools like Microsoft Copilot, Amazon’s Q Developer, and a custom chatbot called DisneyGPT. A longtime software engineer at Disney said the company’s stance has shifted significantly since summer, when it appeared hesitant to adopt AI. Now, employees are being encouraged to use AI to boost productivity. Disney’s OpenAI deal will soon give staff access to the enterprise version of ChatGPT, and the company is also developing a more advanced AI system codenamed "Jarvis," inspired by the Iron Man character’s personal assistant. According to a high-level employee familiar with the project, Jarvis is still in early development and designed to be an agentic AI that can perform tasks autonomously, going beyond simple chatbot functions. DisneyGPT, introduced in a beta version in October, helps employees with routine internal tasks such as generating IT support tickets, checking company rosters, and analyzing project budgets. The December update allowed users to upload Excel and PowerPoint files to the bot. While the chatbot incorporates Disney’s signature themes—prompting users with phrases like “ready for an enchanting adventure” and offering a curated collection of Walt Disney quotes—employees say it functions much like other standard AI assistants. Despite the enthusiasm, some employees have expressed concerns about job security and the risks of overreliance on AI. Three of the eight employees who spoke with Business Insider voiced unease, fearing automation could displace human roles. A senior employee involved in AI strategy emphasized that while AI is a top priority, it is not a replacement for human creativity. “If you use AI everywhere, it's going to be counterproductive,” they said, noting that AI lacks the personal touch and emotional intelligence that people bring to creative work. Disney’s official stance, outlined on an internal AI policy page, stresses a “responsible and human-centric approach.” The company insists that humans remain the core of its creative engine, calling human curiosity and imagination “immense and unique.” At the same time, it acknowledges that embracing new technology is key to staying ahead in entertainment and innovation. Most of the employees interviewed have used DisneyGPT or Copilot, often for simple tasks like drafting emails. The company has also provided AI education and compliance training. However, some staff report using unsanctioned tools like Anthropic’s Claude, which they find more effective. One ESPN employee said their manager allowed the use of personal accounts on such platforms, citing delays in official access. While leadership aims to communicate AI policies clearly, employees say it’s difficult to keep up with evolving tool availability and restrictions. Still, many believe Disney’s OpenAI deal is a strategic move that could pay off in the long term. As one ad team member put it, “Disney is setting the rules of the game, or at least trying.”