Disney Taps Character.ai CEO as First Chief Technology Officer
The Walt Disney Company has appointed Karandeep Anand as its first chief technology officer and senior executive vice president, effective October 2. Anand will oversee enterprise technology, infrastructure, data, and AI platforms across the company.
Anand joins Disney from Character.ai, where he served as CEO. He will report directly to Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro.
D'Amaro emphasized the importance of embracing AI and leveraging technology for growth during his Q3 2026 earnings call in August. He stated that Disney is using AI strategically across various divisions, including studios and its Disney+ streaming business.
Anand's experience at Character.ai includes prioritizing user trust and safety while scaling the platform. Before joining Character.ai, he held leadership roles at Facebook and Microsoft.