AI that talks back: Character AI in the spotlight with Karandeep Anand at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

AI has captured global attention — and not without controversy. This October at San Francisco’s Moscone West, Karandeep Anand, CEO of Character.AI, takes the AI Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 for a candid fireside chat on the explosive rise of human-like AI companions.

Attendees will gain insight into the breakthroughs powering lifelike dialogue, the ethical questions surrounding conversational AI, and the scrutiny that comes with pushing the boundaries of human-computer interaction. Anand will also discuss ongoing legal challenges and the company’s approach to innovation under regulatory pressure.

Lock in your ticket now and save up to $444. Have a group? Register by October 3 for group Founder or Investor Passes and get up to 20% off.

Karandeep Anand: Building the future of AI and video for millions

As CEO of Character.AI, Anand guides the company’s long-term strategy and expansion into new modalities such as video generation, monetization initiatives, and strategic partnerships. The platform now reaches 20 million monthly active users worldwide.

Previously, Anand served as president and chief product officer of Brex, leading the launch of its AI-driven Brex Assistant and spend management platform, Empower. Prior to Brex, he was vice president and head of business products at Meta, where he connected over 3 billion people and served 200 million businesses through Ads, Messenger, Instagram, Workplace, and WhatsApp. Anand also spent 15 years at Microsoft, leading product management for Azure Cloud and developer platforms.

Get actionable insights on the scaling, ethics, and monetization of conversational AI

From the tech powering lifelike digital personalities to the ethical and regulatory questions they raise, this conversation offers a rare inside look at the realities of building, scaling, and monetizing conversational AI. Whether you’re a founder, investor, or AI enthusiast, this session will provide actionable insights and thought-provoking perspectives on the future of AI-human interaction.

Lock in ticket savings solo, or bring a group for bigger discounts

TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 unites over 10,000 founders, investors, and innovators on October 27–29 in San Francisco. Hear directly from one of AI’s most influential leaders. Register now to save up to $444, or bring a group to save up to 20%.