Multi-AI Dialogues: Character.AI's New Group Chat Feature

Character.AI, the artificial intelligence chatbot venture supported by a16z and initiated by ex-Google AI experts, is set to roll out a group chat feature for its users. This platform empowers subscribers to craft AI companions with personalized traits. The latest update will allow simultaneous interactions with several AI entities, offering a rich, multifaceted conversation experience.

About the Character Group Chat Feature

The so-called "Character Group Chat" permits creation of chat rooms either solely with AI characters or a blend of AI and human participants. The main goal is to nurture social interactions, bolster collaboration, and enable swift idea exchange in an AI-augmented setting.

This new dimension of communication lets users converse with AI personalities mimicking historical figures like Albert Einstein and Marie Curie or even mythical deities such as Zeus. Such diverse options guarantee vibrant and intriguing dialogues.

Although Character.AI isn't the sole platform integrating AI in group chats, the trend is gaining momentum. For example, Snapchat’s "My AI" chatbot can join group chats using the “@myai” command, while Meta has launched celebrity-inspired bots across its platforms. These advancements, especially considering Character.AI’s recent $150 million Series A funding, suggest a thriving and competitive market.

Subscription Details and Accessibility

This group chat tool is initially reserved for c.ai+ members at a monthly cost of $9.99, ensuring the firm obtains crucial feedback for refinements. Subscribers enjoy perks like bypassing wait times, swifter message creation, and dedicated community channels for assistance. The broader user base will access this feature in subsequent releases.

Presently, the Character Group Chat is restricted to Character.AI's mobile applications for iOS and Android, but web compatibility is on the horizon.

Character.AI’s Market Presence

Within its first week, the Character.AI mobile application witnessed over half a million downloads, particularly gaining traction in the U.S. Data from data.ai highlights nearly 30 million global monthly users and around 7 million U.S. users. The lifetime in-app revenue stands at an approximate $1.3 million. However, given that c.ai+ is predominantly available online, this revenue is only a fraction of the company's complete financial picture.