Disney has named Character.AI CEO Karandeep Anand as its first Disney CTO, creating a company-wide technology role that will cover enterprise systems, infrastructure, data, AI platforms, product and engineering. Anand starts on 2 October and will report directly to Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro.
What the Disney CTO will oversee
The newly created role brings Disney’s technology operations under one senior executive. Anand will work across the company’s segment technology teams as Disney tries to build a more connected relationship with fans, with Disney+ serving as the digital centrepiece. That includes the streaming service used by viewers in the UAE, although Disney has not announced a UAE-specific product change alongside the appointment.
Disney’s official announcement says several members of Character.AI’s technical team are expected to join Anand at the company. The move gives Disney an executive whose recent work sits directly at the intersection of consumer products and generative AI.
From Character.AI to Disney
Anand led Character.AI through a period of growth, with user trust and safety part of the company’s public positioning as the platform expanded. Before that, he was president and chief product officer at fintech company Brex, held senior roles at Meta’s Facebook and spent 15 years at Microsoft, where he worked on the Azure platform.
Disney’s announcement describes the appointment as part of D’Amaro’s effort to make technology a larger driver of growth across the company. The strategy sits alongside Disney’s push to connect its entertainment businesses and digital products, including Disney+ programming such as Deadly Tag and reported projects such as Marvel’s next Disney+ series.
Anand said he had admired Disney for blending storytelling with technology and that he looked forward to helping the company connect fans with its stories and characters in new ways.
The appointment takes effect on 2 October. Disney has not announced a separate consumer product, streaming feature or UAE launch tied to Anand’s arrival.
The appointment was reported by Media Play News, while Disney’s official announcement provides the role’s remit and Anand’s background.
Who is Disney’s first CTO?
Karandeep Anand, the former CEO of Character.AI, will become Disney’s first company-wide chief technology officer.
When does Karandeep Anand join Disney?
Anand starts in the new role on 2 October 2026 and reports directly to Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro.
What will Disney’s CTO oversee?
The remit covers enterprise technology, infrastructure, data and AI platforms, product, engineering and coordination across Disney’s segment technology teams.
