GoKawiilDisney names Character.AI's former CEO Karandeep Anand as its first-ever CTO
Disney has hired Karandeep Anand, who spent just over a year as CEO of chatbot startup Character.AI, to become the company's first chief technology officer. Anand will report to new CEO Josh D'Amaro and oversee Disney's infrastructure, product, engineering, and data/AI platforms teams.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The hire is notable because Disney sent Character.AI cease-and-desist letters last year over unauthorized use of its copyrighted characters, making Anand's move a striking reversal. It also signals Disney may be recalibrating its AI strategy after its OpenAI partnership collapsed, potentially bringing chatbot and generative AI expertise in-house.
- Disney creates a CTO role for the first time, filled by Karandeep Anand.
- Anand previously led Character.AI, a company Disney once targeted with legal threats.
- The move suggests Disney is reshaping its AI approach following the breakdown of its OpenAI deal.
Source: theverge.com — Charles Pulliam-Moore, 2026-09-18
Published there as: “Disney’s first CTO is Character.AI’s former CEO”
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