Character.AI Reimagines Teen Chat with New 'Stories' Feature

Character.AI is rolling out 'Stories,' a novel feature offering a visual, choose-your-own-adventure experience for users, particularly targeting teens. This new format allows users to create and engage with interactive tales starring favorite characters, genres, and premises.

The introduction of 'Stories' follows Character.AI's decision to cease open-ended chats for users under 18. This critical change was a response to intense scrutiny, lawsuits, and widespread safety concerns arising from explicit and harmful bot interactions. The company aims for 'Stories' to be a safe, creative sandbox for younger users.

Safety advocates remain cautiously optimistic, noting that the new safeguards are an admission of inherent product risks for young users. Character.AI plans further teen-friendly AI entertainment features, including gaming, as it navigates the delicate balance between user engagement and child safety.