Multiple deaths linked to AI chatbots have prompted state-level regulatory efforts, but bills being drafted often include tech industry input and exemptions that limit their effectiveness. Cases include Juliana Montoya, who died by suicide after being exposed to sexual content by Character.AI chatbots, and others involving OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini. Despite over 75 lawsuits and mounting concerns about child safety, federal regulation remains absent.
Disney hired Karandeep Anand as its first chief technology officer. Anand was previously CEO of Character.AI, an AI startup that Disney accused of infringing on its copyrighted characters in a cease-and-desist letter in September 2025. The hiring suggests new Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro wants the company to embrace new technologies.
Disney appointed Karandeep Anand, former CEO of AI chatbot startup Character.AI, as its first chief technology officer, reporting to CEO Josh D'Amaro. Anand, who previously held leadership roles at Meta, Brex, and Microsoft, will oversee enterprise technology, infrastructure, data, and AI platforms across Disney's segments. The hire reflects D'Amaro's push to position Disney as a tech-forward company and strengthen fan engagement through digital platforms.
Character.ai CEO Karandeep Anand is joining Disney as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, with members of Character's technical team expected to follow. The move aims to leverage Disney's technology capabilities to connect fans with stories and characters in new ways, while Character.ai's platform remains operational.
Disney appointed Karandeep Anand, formerly CEO of Character.AI, as its first chief technology officer, effective October 2. The newly created role reports to CEO Josh D'Amaro and will oversee enterprise technology, infrastructure, data, AI platforms, and engineering as Disney accelerates its technology modernization and streaming expansion strategy.