News Summary

• Disney plans to spend roughly $180 million over three years to compensate and retain 66 recruits from the recently bankrupt, highly controversial chatbot startup Character.AI.
• The hiring follows September layoffs that included technology workers.
• The company eliminated jobs in January, approximately 1,000 more in April, and hundreds in July, including roughly 150 at Pixar.
• Beginning in 2027, Disney will also restrict spousal health coverage when spouses can obtain insurance through their own employers, even if those plans offer worse benefits.