Disney has struck a deal to hire the majority of Character.AI’s workforce, including the startup’s former CEO Karandeep Anand, who is now Disney’s first Chief Technology Officer. A legal filing revealed that Disney will offer employment to at least 60 of Character.AI’s employees, likely paying them around $60 million annually. The agreement comes as Character.AI filed for bankruptcy, citing high costs, potential legal liabilities, and regulatory concerns.

The move is part of a broader trend in the tech industry where large companies poach talent from startups, even in their direst moments. Just last week, Character.AI faced legal action over a teenager's alleged suicide linked to one of its chatbots, and ongoing investigations over child safety concerns further complicated matters.

Disney’s acquisition comes with the promise of a significant talent pool, with many of Character.AI’s employees reportedly accepting the offer. However, it’s worth noting that this is a ‘stalking horse’ bid, meaning another company could still outbid Disney for the employees.

As the world of AI continues to grow, these kinds of deals highlight the intense competition among tech giants to secure top talent. With more startups emerging and failing, the landscape is ripe for such opportunistic hires, even as the startups themselves face existential challenges.