Disney agrees to hire most of Character.AI's workforce

· Tech · United States

A filing shows Disney has agreed to hire the majority of Character.AI's workforce, with the "vast majority" of employees offered jobs at Disney accepting them. The arrangement is structured as a stalking horse bid, meaning another company could still come forward with a higher offer for the assets involved. The disclosure covers hiring rather than a completed acquisition, and the stalking-horse structure leaves the outcome open to competing bids.

Why it matters：Talent, not technology, is changing hands here, showing how AI startups' value is increasingly captured through acqui-hires that leave the door open to rival bids.

Key points

  • The deal is structured as a stalking horse bid.
  • Most Character.AI employees offered Disney jobs accepted.
  • A higher competing offer could still emerge.

Sources (original reporting)

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