Disney appoints first CTO, hires Character.AI CEO to lead AI strategy
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Disney has appointed its first-ever Chief Technology Officer (CTO), hiring Karan Deep Anand, CEO of AI startup Character.AI, effective October 2. Anand, who has senior technical management experience at Microsoft and Meta, led Character.AI in developing AI virtual character interaction products for consumers. He will report directly to Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro and oversee enterprise technology, infrastructure, data systems, AI platform, product, and engineering teams. The move comes a year after Disney sent a cease-and-desist letter to Character.AI over unauthorized use of Disney IP characters. Disney aims to modernize its technology architecture and leverage AI to enhance film content, Disney+ streaming, theme parks, and create an integrated fan digital experience under a 'technology serves creativity' strategy.
Source report
September 19 — Disney has officially created the first Chief Technology Officer (CTO) position in the company's history, hiring Karan Deep Anand, CEO of AI startup Character.AI, according to a CNBC report. The appointment will take effect on October 2, and Anand will report directly to Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro.
Anand brings extensive technical leadership experience from Microsoft and Meta. At Character.AI, he led the development of AI-powered virtual character interaction products designed for general consumers. Alongside his appointment, several technical staff members from Character.AI will also join Disney.
In a notable turn of events, just one year ago, Disney sent a cease-and-desist letter to Character.AI, protesting the platform's unauthorized generation of Disney intellectual property (IP) characters. The two companies were previously locked in a copyright dispute, which has now evolved into a superior-subordinate working relationship.
As CTO, Anand will oversee Disney's enterprise technology, infrastructure, data systems, AI platforms, products, and engineering teams. He will coordinate technical teams across the company's various business segments and lead the modernization of Disney's technology architecture.
Disney has introduced a "Technology Serving Creativity" strategy, aiming to leverage AI capabilities to enhance its core businesses, including film and television content, the Disney+ streaming service, and theme parks, while building an integrated digital fan experience.
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中国经济新闻网Neutral / independent