# Disney hires most of Character.AI after bankruptcy

> Disney will employ at least 60 Character.AI workers after the chatbot startup filed for bankruptcy, paying sixty million dollars in annual compensation.
- Title: Disney hires most of Character.AI after bankruptcy | Shortify
- Summary: Disney will employ at least 60 Character.AI workers after the chatbot startup filed for bankruptcy, paying sixty million dollars in annual compensation…
- Keywords: character.ai, disney, bankruptcy, chatbot, workforce, karandeep anand, technology, startups, hires, most, Character, TechCrunch
- Source: TechCrunch — https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/18/disney-agrees-to-hire-the-majority-of-character-ais-workforce
- Author: Anthony Ha
- Published: 2026-10-18T16:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: character.ai, disney, bankruptcy, ai, chatbot, workforce, karandeep anand, technology, startups
## Character.AI files for bankruptcy
Chatbot startup Character.AI filed for bankruptcy earlier this week, leaving its workforce uncertain about their futures at the company.
## Disney to hire sixty workers
Disney agreed to make employment offers to at least sixty Character.AI employees, the majority of the workforce, paying them an estimated sixty million dollars in annual compensation.
## Former CEO now Disney's CTO
Character.AI's former CEO Karandeep Anand recently became Disney's first chief technology officer. Disney also agreed to acquire some Character.AI assets for twenty million dollars.
## Why Character.AI struggled
Despite its large and engaged user base, Character.AI was hobbled by high costs and potential litigation-related liabilities and regulatory engagement over child safety concerns.
## Key takeaway

Disney agreed to hire at least 60 Character.AI employees for sixty million dollars annually after the chatbot startup filed for bankruptcy.