Update, Oct. 25: Character.AI filed for bankruptcy on Oct. 12 and agreed to sell some assets to Disney for $20 million. Disney is the stalking-horse bidder for a nonexclusive, perpetual license to some of the startup’s intellectual property, and other bidders can top its offer, NBC News reported. Disney will help with the transition using staff it hired from Character.AI.
Walt Disney Co. has named Karandeep Anand, the former chief executive of Character.AI, as its first company-wide chief technology officer, the Los Angeles Times reported. Anand, who will also serve as senior executive vice president, starts Oct. 2 and reports to CEO Josh D’Amaro.
He will work across the company to modernize how Disney develops and deploys technology, overseeing data and AI platforms, enterprise technology and infrastructure. Disney said “a number” of Character.AI’s technical staff are expected to join with him.
“Karandeep brings a rare mix of experience across infrastructure, consumer technology and AI,” D’Amaro said in a statement. “He is an expert builder and strategist, technical and product-minded, with sharp instincts for what fans actually want.”
Second tech appointment in two days
The hire came a day after Disney named former YouTube executive Adam Smith chairman of direct-to-consumer for Disney Entertainment, putting him in charge of the global entertainment streaming business. Smith, who joined Disney in 2024 after more than 20 years at YouTube and Google, will focus on platform strategy, advertising technology and emerging tech. He had been co-president of direct-to-consumer and chief product and technology officer for Disney Entertainment and ESPN.
“Our vision ahead is clear: make Disney+ the connection point for fans everywhere to engage with the full breadth and depth of the broader Disney ecosystem,” Smith said. The LA Times described both moves as part of D’Amaro’s push to make Disney+ the company’s digital centerpiece. In a related change, Joe Earley, the former Hulu president who ran direct-to-consumer for Disney Entertainment, moves to a newly created role as president of Disney Entertainment Television franchise and content strategy.
A shift from last year’s dispute
The appointment marks a change in Disney’s relationship with Character.AI. Last year, Disney sent the startup a cease-and-desist letter alleging copyright infringement involving characters such as Elsa, Moana, Peter Parker and Darth Vader, and Character.AI removed those characters as chatbot options. Now Disney is bringing in the company’s former CEO, along with members of its technical team, to lead its technology strategy.
WebProNews is an iEntry Publication