Disney Hires First CTO from an AI Startup It Previously Accused of IP Infringement
Disney has appointed Karandeep Anand as its first-ever Chief Technology Officer. Notably, Anand previously served as CEO and board adviser at Character.AI, a company that Disney had accused in September 2025 of infringing on its intellectual property by hosting copyrighted characters from its franchises. Character.AI allows users to create virtual AI-generated characters for interaction purposes. The startup has faced multiple legal challenges, including allegations related to encouraging self-harm and suicide through chatbots. Anand was selected under the leadership of Disney’s new CEO Josh D’Amaro, who succeeded Bob Iger in March 2026. The hiring signals a strategic shift toward embracing emerging technologies at Disney as it navigates evolving digital landscapes.
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