Character.AI introduced on Tuesday that it’s launching “Stories,” a brand new format that permits customers to create interactive fiction that options their favourite characters. The function comes as a substitute for the corporate’s chatbots, that are not accessible to customers underneath 18 as of this week.
The change follows rising considerations in regards to the psychological well being dangers of AI chatbots which can be out there 24/7 and may provoke conversations with customers. A number of lawsuits have been filed towards corporations like OpenAI and Character.AI over their alleged function in customers’ suicides. Over the previous month, Character.AI has been slowly phasing out entry for minors, and as of Tuesday, underage customers can not chat with its AI characters in any respect.
“Tales supply a guided strategy to create and discover fiction, in lieu of open-ended chat,” the corporate stated within the weblog put up. “Will probably be provided together with our different multimodal options, so teenagers can proceed partaking with their favourite Characters in a safety-first setting.”
Interactive fiction has seen a surge in popularity over the previous couple of years, so Character.AI’s pivot is smart. However it will not be sufficient to satiate customers who’ve develop into overly depending on the chatbots — which is all of the extra cause why Character.AI’s resolution to restrict chatbot entry was warranted.
On the Character.AI subreddit, reactions are blended. In keeping with their feedback, some teenagers say that whereas they’re dissatisfied, they assume it’s finally the best transfer.
“I’m so mad in regards to the ban but additionally so comfortable as a result of now I can do different issues and my habit is likely to be over lastly,” one person who recognized themselves as an adolescent wrote.
One other stated, “as somebody who’s underneath 18 that is simply disappointing. but additionally rightfully so bc individuals over right here my age get hooked on this.”
Techcrunch occasion
San Francisco
|
October 13-15, 2026
It stays to be seen how teenagers will use the Tales function, however the format is much less psychologically doubtful than roleplaying with chatbots. Not like Tales, chatbots immediately work together with customers in open-ended conversations and may ship unprompted messages even when customers aren’t actively utilizing the app.
Character.AI’s resolution to age-gate chatbot entry comes at a time when California lately turned the primary state to control AI companions. In the meantime, Senators Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) have introduced a national bill that might ban AI companions for minors altogether.
“I actually hope us main the best way units an ordinary within the trade that for underneath 18s, open-ended chats are most likely not the trail or the product to supply,” Character.AI CEO Karandeep Anand informed TechCrunch final month.
