Character.AI Names Ex-Meta VP as New CEO
▼ Summary
– Character.AI appointed Karandeep Anand, former Meta VP and board adviser, as its new CEO amid growth and child safety challenges.
– The company faces a lawsuit alleging its chatbot contributed to a teen’s death, prompting new safety features.
– Anand brings leadership experience from Meta, Microsoft, and fintech startup Brex to Character.AI.
– Google’s hiring of Character.AI’s co-founder and their tech partnership triggered an antitrust investigation by regulators.
– Anand plans to refine safety filters, improve AI models, and enhance transparency, with updates expected within 60 days.
Character.AI has appointed former Meta executive Karandeep Anand as its new CEO, marking a strategic leadership shift for the fast-growing AI chatbot platform. The move comes as the company navigates both rapid expansion and heightened scrutiny around user safety, particularly concerning younger audiences. Anand, who previously advised Character.AI’s board, brings extensive experience from senior roles at Meta, Microsoft, and fintech firm Brex.
The transition follows the departure of co-founder Noam Shazeer, who left last year to join Google, a move that triggered a federal antitrust investigation into the companies’ partnership. Google’s non-exclusive licensing agreement with Character.AI raised questions about potential market consolidation in the competitive AI sector, mirroring similar regulatory attention on deals like Microsoft’s collaboration with Inflection.AI.
Anand steps into the role amid ongoing legal challenges, including a lawsuit alleging a Character.AI chatbot contributed to a minor’s death. The company has since rolled out stricter safety protocols, though Anand signaled plans to refine these measures. “We need filters that protect users without stifling harmless interactions,” he stated, emphasizing a balance between safety and usability. His immediate roadmap includes upgrading AI model performance, enhancing memory capabilities, and improving transparency, with several updates expected within two months.
Backed by $150 million in venture funding, primarily from Andreessen Horowitz, Character.AI has carved out a niche in entertainment-focused chatbots. Its user base skews young, with Sensor Tower data showing 66% of users aged 18–24 and 72% identifying as female. The platform’s popularity underscores the broader demand for generative AI tools designed for casual engagement, a segment that continues to defy expectations.
Anand’s appointment reflects Character.AI’s dual focus: scaling its technology while addressing complex ethical and regulatory hurdles. His background in managing products for billions of users at Meta could prove critical as the startup aims to mature its offerings without compromising its appeal to a highly engaged audience.
(Source: TechCrunch)
