A New Chapter for AI and Teens: Character. AI Changes Its Game
AI company shifts focus from conversation to creativity
Character. AI is taking a significant step back from allowing teens to engage in free-form conversations with its AI. This decision follows serious concerns, including teens forming unhealthy attachments to AI chatbots and tragic incidents. The company is now prioritizing AI as a tool for creativity rather than a virtual friend.
The Shift in Policy
Teens have been using Character. AI to converse with AI chatbots as if they were real friends. However, this practice has led to several issues. The company's CEO, Karandeep Anand, announced the removal of open-ended chats for users under 18. This means teens will no longer be able to engage in long, unstructured conversations with AI.
New Features for Creativity
Character. AI is introducing new features aimed at fostering creativity among teens. These include:
- AvatarFX: Turns images into animated videos.
- Scenes: Interactive storylines that encourage creative engagement.
The goal is to shift the focus from talking to making things, leveraging AI as a creative tool rather than a conversational companion.
Ensuring Compliance
To prevent teens from bypassing the new rules, Character. AI is implementing age verification tools. These include:
- Analyzing user behavior.
- Using facial recognition technology.
The company acknowledges that these measures might upset some teens but believes they are necessary for their safety.
AI Safety Lab
Character. AI is also launching the AI Safety Lab, a nonprofit dedicated to making AI entertainment safer. This initiative is part of their broader effort to stay ahead of regulations and ensure responsible AI use.
