Character.ai: AI Therapist Bots Becoming Popular Amongst Young People

Character.ai, a popular platform for creating chatbots based on fictional or real people, has seen one bot called Psychologist receive significant demand. Created by a user named Blazeman98 just over a year ago, the bot has received a total of 78 million messages, with 18 million since November. While Character.ai claims that users are primarily interested in role-playing for entertainment, the popularity of bots with “therapy” or “psychologist” in their names suggests a strong interest in mental health support. Psychologist has been praised by users for its positive impact and comfort. The creator, Sam Zaia, a psychology student from New Zealand, trained the bot using principles from his degree and is now working on a research project about the appeal of AI therapy to young people. While some professionals question the effectiveness of AI therapy, others believe it can provide immediate and spontaneous support to those in need. Character.ai reminds users that the chat logs are private but can be accessed by staff if necessary. The company advises users to consult certified professionals for legitimate advice and guidance.