Disney has appointed Karandeep Anand, former CEO of Character.AI, as its first chief technology officer. The hire signals Disney’s stronger focus on technology, streaming, artificial intelligence and data, despite previously accusing Character.AI of infringing its intellectual property and posing risks to children.

Anand will oversee Disney’s enterprise technology, data and AI platforms, with several former Character.AI staff reportedly joining him. Disney is also promoting Adam Smith to chairman of direct-to-consumer operations; the appointments reflect CEO Josh D’Amaro’s strategy of placing technology at the centre of the company’s future.