Disney has taken a significant step in strengthening its technology leadership by hiring Karandeep Anand, the former CEO of Character.AI, as its senior executive vice president and chief technology officer, effective October 2.
This newly established position will report directly to CEO Josh D'Amaro, who has emphasized the importance of technology in driving the company's growth across various sectors. Anand will oversee enterprise technology, infrastructure, data, and AI platforms, aiming to modernize Disney's technology operations.
D'Amaro highlighted Anand's unique blend of experience in infrastructure, consumer technology, and AI as vital for advancing Disney's priorities, which include storytelling and creativity. This move aligns with D'Amaro's broader strategy to maintain momentum in Disney's core growth areas, particularly streaming and parks, which have positively impacted earnings.
The company is also exploring a free, ad-supported tier for Disney+ to attract more consumers, and integrating streaming with shopping experiences. Anand's background includes leading Character.AI through significant growth and prioritizing user trust and safety, which could enhance Disney's engagement with its audience.
This appointment, along with the hiring of additional technical team members from Character.AI, signals Disney's commitment to leveraging technology for future growth, despite previous tensions with Character.AI over copyright issues