Disney to Absorb Most of Character.AI Staff After Bankruptcy
Disney will hire most of Character.AI staff and buy assets for $20 million after the startup's bankruptcy, appointing its ex‑CEO as CTO.
Chatbot startup Character.AI filed for bankruptcy earlier this week, and Disney has agreed to hire the majority of its workforce. The entertainment conglomerate will also acquire select assets from the company for a reported $20 million.
Character.AI’s former chief executive, Karandeep Anand, has been appointed Disney’s first chief technology officer, signaling the media giant’s push into generative AI and interactive character technology. The move is expected to bolster Disney’s digital offerings across its streaming platforms and theme parks.
The agreement provides displaced employees with new positions and integrates Character.AI’s technology into Disney’s broader ecosystem. Details of the acquisition remain limited, but the deal underscores Disney’s strategy to expand its AI capabilities amid growing competition in the tech‑driven entertainment space.
Why It Matters
The deal highlights Disney’s effort to strengthen its AI and interactive content capabilities, a trend relevant to media and tech markets in the US and Europe.
More in Business
Business
Oklahoma Families Grapple With Record Heat and Power Shortages
Business
Debt Strains at CoreWeave, Oracle and SoftBank Signal Data Center Risks
Business
State Attorneys General Lead New Wave of Antitrust Merger Scrutiny
Business