Character AI

Startup

Platform for creating and chatting with AI characters for entertainment and roleplay.

Founded: 2021
HQ: Menlo Park, CA
CEO: Dominic Perella
character.ai

Employees

100-300

Funding

$200M+

Valuation

$1B

Status

Private

About Character AI

Character AI is a platform that allows users to create and interact with AI characters, from fictional personalities to historical figures to custom chatbots. Founded by former Google researchers Noam Shazeer and Daniel De Freitas, the platform became one of the most-used AI consumer applications, particularly among younger users. In 2024, Google licensed Character AI's technology and hired its co-founders back, while the company continued operating independently. Character AI represents the entertainment and social side of the AI revolution, demonstrating strong consumer demand for AI companionship and creative interaction.

Products & Tools

Key People

Dominic Perella

CEO

Noam Shazeer

Co-Founder (now at Google)

Daniel De Freitas

Co-Founder (now at Google)

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