GoKawiilDisney names ex-Character.AI CEO Karandeep Anand as its first CTO
Disney has hired Karandeep Anand, who recently led Character.AI, to serve as the company's first chief technology officer, reporting directly to CEO Josh D'Amaro. Anand will oversee enterprise technology and Disney's data and AI platforms, and is bringing several former Character.AI engineers with him. Disney is also promoting Adam Smith to a new Chairman of Direct-to-Consumer role for Disney Entertainment.
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The hire is notable because Disney sent Character.AI a cease-and-desist letter just months ago over chatbots built on its copyrighted characters, showing how quickly legal adversaries can become business partners once AI talent becomes valuable. It also signals Disney's deepening bet on AI and streaming infrastructure as core to its future under D'Amaro, even as the industry's copyright disputes remain unresolved.
- Disney hired Karandeep Anand, former Character.AI CEO, as its first-ever CTO.
- The move follows Disney's cease-and-desist letter against Character.AI over character-based chatbots.
- Anand will lead AI and data platforms while bringing former Character.AI staff to Disney.
Source: engadget.com — Ian Carlos Campbell, 2026-09-18
Published there as: “Disney hires ex-CEO of AI company it accused of copyright infringement”
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