Walt Disney appoints Karandeep Anand as first chief technology officer

Walt Disney: The Walt Disney Company is a global entertainment conglomerate with operations spanning media networks, film and television studios, and theme parks. Under CEO Josh D’Amaro, the company has prioritized integrating technology to support creative storytelling and operational efficiency. It appointed its first companywide chief technology officer to oversee enterprise tech, infrastructure, data, and AI platforms. Karandeep Anand: Karandeep Anand is a technology executive specializing in AI, consumer products, and infrastructure, with prior roles at Microsoft building Azure, Meta in ads and business products, and Brex as president and chief product officer. He most recently served as CEO of Character.AI, leading expansion of its chatbot platform and implementing safety measures. Anand joins The Walt Disney Company as its first senior executive vice president and chief technology officer, reporting directly to the CEO and starting October 2. Strategy: Disney emphasizes technology in service of creativity and operating as one unified company in its current leadership priorities. Leadership: The newly created CTO role reports directly to Disney’s chief executive to align technology strategy with company priorities. Industry Trend: Media competitors have established technology leadership for streaming but Disney is establishing the first companywide CTO position amid broader AI integration efforts.