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Disney, Universal Join Forces Against Unexpected New Foe

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Disney and Universal unite against a common enemy.

Credit: Disney Dining

Disney and Universal Make Rare Alliance To Face New Challenge

It’s a clash straight out of a blockbuster script—Hollywood versus artificial intelligence. The names behind the world’s most beloved characters are stepping into the courtroom once again, this time aiming their sights at a new tech challenger with billions on the line.

The question isn’t whether AI is powerful—it’s whether it can be trusted with decades of creative legacies. For casual fans, it feels like a tug-of-war between innovation and imagination. For the studios, it’s a fight to defend the foundation of their business.

Now, just months after battling Midjourney, Disney and Universal have returned to court. But they’re not alone this time. The stakes are higher, the opponent is bigger, and the ripple effects could shape entertainment for decades.

Regular Walt Disney Pictures logo shown before films
Credit: Disney

The Breaking Update: Hollywood Targets MiniMax

According to a report from CNN, Disney and Universal Studios teamed up with Warner Bros. Discovery this week to file a lawsuit against MiniMax, the Chinese AI company behind the content generator Hailuo AI. The complaint, filed in California’s district court, alleges MiniMax used copyrighted material to build its models, then marketed the platform as nothing less than “a Hollywood studio in your pocket.”

The studios argue that Hailuo lets users instantly create downloadable images and videos of copyrighted characters without permission—from animated icons to superheroes. Warnings, they claim, went ignored.

“Innovation must respect intellectual property,” the studios said in a joint statement. “This lawsuit underscores our commitment to protecting creativity, wherever violations occur.”

Adding fuel to the fire, MiniMax is in the middle of transitioning into a public company, reportedly targeting a valuation north of $4 billion (Yahoo Finance). The lawsuit, if successful, could derail those plans entirely.

An image collage featuring various animated characters. On the left, Cinderella and the Fairy Godmother, Lady from Lady and the Tramp, and Alice from Alice in Wonderland. On the right, Aurora from Sleeping Beauty with birds and forest animals, including an owl and a rabbit.
Credit: Disney Dining

What It Means for Fans and Creators

While the courtroom drama unfolds, fans are left wondering how it will affect them. AI platforms like Hailuo made it easy to imagine new takes on beloved franchises—but if Hollywood wins, those tools may become restricted or vanish altogether.

For creators, the ruling could set limits on how AI-generated art is used. What feels like harmless fun online could be judged as copyright infringement, potentially shutting down communities that thrive on remixing popular culture.

This isn’t just about law; it’s about access, creativity, and where studios draw the line.

disney films marvel pixar
Credit: Disney/Marvel/Pixar Animation Studios/Canva

Insider Tips: Staying Safe in the AI Era

  • Double-check AI tools. Stick to platforms that publicly state their models are trained on public-domain or licensed material.

  • Don’t assume it’s “free.” Generating fan art of copyrighted characters could put you at risk.

  • Expect tighter rules. The Midjourney case showed studios are watching closely. The MiniMax suit proves they’re ready to escalate.

Split image: On the left, Disney's Cinderella Castle lit up with fireworks at sunset; on the right, people walk toward the Hogwarts Castle attraction at Universal Studios under a clear sky.
Credit: Disney / Universal / edited by ITM

Why This Fight Matters

This isn’t merely a business dispute—it’s a cultural turning point. Studios argue that decades of storytelling, artistry, and billions in investment are being undermined when AI can reproduce characters in seconds. Fans, meanwhile, are torn: many welcome stricter enforcement, while others fear creativity will be boxed in.

On social media, the case is sparking debates about ownership, art, and innovation. Some see the lawsuit as protecting creators’ rights; others see it as Hollywood clamping down on fan-driven expression.

Whatever the outcome, the precedent could redefine the entertainment industry worldwide.

Mickey Mouse by the Universal Epic Universe Logo as The Walt Disney Company finally gives update on the park's competition with Disney World.
Credit: Disney Dining

Final Thoughts

Disney, Universal, and Warner Bros. are making their position crystal clear: they won’t allow AI companies to freely borrow from their creative universes. With billions at stake, the courtroom battle against MiniMax may decide not just the future of AI—but the future of fandom itself.

Do you think AI companies should be restricted, or should fans have more freedom to create?



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Covecta raises $6.5m to speed up business lending with AI platform

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By Vriti Gothi

Today

  • AI
  • Compliance
  • Digital Banking

covecta

Covecta has raised $6.5 million to expand its AI-powered platform, aiming to help banks automate workflows, accelerate lending, and free frontline staff from administrative burdens.

Despite years of digital transformation spending, commercial loan applications can still take as long as six months to process, with loan officers spending more than 150 hours on a single case. Financial institutions remain stuck managing disconnected systems from loan origination tools and CRMs to public registers and core banking platforms — forcing staff to juggle tasks that should be seamless.

Covecta’s answer is an “agentic AI” platform that sits on top of existing banking infrastructure. Instead of requiring banks to rip out legacy technology, it integrates with incumbent systems and deploys specialised AI agents that coordinate workflows across departments. The platform is available via web and desktop apps and can be deployed within weeks, offering a plug-and-play alternative to years-long tech overhauls.

The company’s first major client, Metro Bank, has already reported a 60–80% reduction in task completion times since adopting Covecta. The bank says the technology has boosted efficiency, sharpened risk analysis, and improved decision-making.

Founded by Scott Wilson, Ben Thomas, and Abdul Hummaida, Covecta’s leadership brings a mix of industry and technical expertise. Wilson previously scaled revenue at Mambu and helped expand Finastra in the U.S., Thomas spent over a decade advising banks on digital transformation at McKinsey and Accenture, while Hummaida has led AI engineering teams at AppSense and Orgvue.

Backers of the platform say its potential stretches far beyond business lending. Covecta plans to expand into asset management, wealth management, and other areas of financial services, aiming to become what it calls an “AI operating system” for the industry.

The investment marks growing confidence in AI-driven solutions that promise not just process optimisation but a rethink of how financial professionals spend their time. For banks under pressure to improve customer service and reduce costs, the question is no longer whether AI will change financial services but how quickly platforms like Covecta can scale.

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VeriPark achieves the 2025-2026 Microsoft AI Business Solutions Inner Circle award – PA Media

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VeriPark achieves the 2025-2026 Microsoft AI Business Solutions Inner Circle award  PA Media



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DRUID AI raises $31 million Series C, appoints new CEO

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DRUID AI, a Romanian-born technology company, today announced it has secured $31 million in Series C financing to advance the global expansion of its enterprise-ready agentic AI platform under the leadership of its new CEO Joseph Kim. The strategic investment, which will advance DRUID AI’s mission to empower companies to create, manage, and orchestrate conversational AI agents, was led by Cipio Partners, with participation from TQ Ventures, Karma Ventures, Smedvig, and Hoxton Ventures.

“This investment is both a testament to DRUID AI’s success and a catalyst to elevate businesses globally through the power of agentic AI,” said Kim. “Customer success is what it’s all about, and delivering real business outcomes requires understanding companies’ pain points and introducing innovations that help those customers address their complex challenges. That’s the DRUID AI way, and now we’re bringing it to the world through this new phase of global growth.”

Kim has more than two decades of operating executive experience in application, infrastructure, and security industries. Most recently, he was CEO of Sumo Logic. He serves on the boards of directors of SmartBear and Andela. In addition, he was a senior operating partner at private equity firm Francisco Partners, CPTO at Citrix, SolarWinds, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and chief architect at GE.

DRUID AI cofounder and Chief Operating Officer Andreea Plesea, who had been interim CEO, commented: “I am delighted Joseph is taking the reins as CEO to drive our next level of growth. His commitment to customer success and developing the exact solutions customers need is in total sync with the approach that has fueled our progress and positioned us to raise new funds. Joseph and the Series C set up DRUID AI and our clients for expanded innovation and impact.”

The appointment of Kim as CEO and the new funding come on the heels of DRUID AI earning a Challenger spot in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Conversational AI Platforms for 2025. This is just the latest development validating the maturity of DRUID AI’s platform and its readiness to deliver business results in a market that is experiencing rapid advancement and adoption.

In 2024, DRUID AI grew ARR 2.7x year-over-year. Its award-winning platform has powered more than 1 billion conversations across thousands of agents. In addition, the DRUID AI global partner ecosystem has attracted industry giants Microsoft, Genpact, Cognizant, and Accenture.

The founder of Druid AI, Liviu Dragan, had passed away unexpectedly in May 2025.

DRUID AI is trusted by more than 300 global clients across banking, financial services, government, healthcare, higher education, manufacturing, retail, and telecommunications. Leading organizations such as AXA Insurance, Carrefour, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Georgia Southern University, Kmart Australia, Liberty Global Group, MatrixCare, National Health Service, and Orange Auchan have adopted DRUID AI to redefine the way they operate.

Companies have embraced DRUID AI to help teams accelerate digital operations, reduce the complexity of day-to-day work, enhance user experience, and maximize technology ROI. Powered by advanced agentic AI and driven by the DRUID Conductor, its core orchestration engine, the DRUID platform enables businesses to effortlessly deploy AI agents and intelligent apps that streamline processes, integrate seamlessly with existing systems, and fulfill complex requests efficiently. DRUID AI’s end-to-end platform delivers 98% first response accuracy.





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