From The Verge · Charles Pulliam-Moore · · 1m
Disney hires Character.AI's ex-CEO as first CTO
The entertainment giant appoints Karandeep Anand to lead technology, marking a major shift in AI strategy.
In brief
The entertainment giant appoints Karandeep Anand to lead technology, marking a major shift in AI strategy. Disney is making its first-ever CTO hire from a chatbot startup, signaling a serious commitment to AI infrastructure after its OpenAI partnership ended. Originally reported by The Verge.
Disney names its first CTO ever
Disney announced Karandeep Anand as its new Chief Technology Officer, the first person to hold this role at the massive entertainment company.
Anand comes from Character.AI
Anand was CEO of chatbot startup Character.AI for just over a year, where he oversaw the company's push into microdramas.
He'll lead Disney's tech teams
Anand will report to CEO Josh D'Amaro and oversee infrastructure, product, engineering, and data and AI platforms teams.
Disney sued Character.AI last year
A year ago, Disney sent Character.AI cease and desist letters over copyright infringement. Now Disney is hiring its former CEO.
OpenAI partnership fell apart
Anand's hiring signals Disney wants to build its own AI capabilities after its partnership with OpenAI ended.
Here's the gist
Disney is making its first-ever CTO hire from a chatbot startup, signaling a serious commitment to AI infrastructure after its OpenAI partnership ended.
