Disney Names Character.AI's Karandeep Anand First CTO as 2025 IP Clash Lingers
Updated
Updated · TechCrunch · Sep 18
Disney Names Character.AI's Karandeep Anand First CTO as 2025 IP Clash Lingers
3 articles · Updated · TechCrunch · Sep 18
Summary
Disney tapped Karandeep Anand as its first chief technology officer, elevating the former Character.AI CEO under new CEO Josh D’Amaro.
The hire is notable because Disney sent Character.AI a cease-and-desist letter in September 2025, accusing the startup of hosting copyrighted characters from its franchises.
Anand became Character.AI CEO in May 2025 after serving as a board adviser; the company, founded in 2021, lets users create and interact with generative-AI characters.
Character.AI has also faced lawsuits alleging its chatbots encouraged self-harm and suicide, underscoring the legal and reputational risks around Disney’s push to embrace new technology.