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Meet Shapes, the app bringing humans and AI into the same group chats
Shapes is a new app allowing humans and AI characters to engage in group chats, recently launching with $8M in seed funding. It aims to combat 'AI Psychosis' by fostering communal interactions rather than isolating one-on-one chats. With over 400,000 active users, the app features customizable AI characters and aims to keep conversations engaging by having AI initiate discussions.
Key points
- Shapes allows humans and customizable AI characters to chat together in group settings, addressing isolation in traditional AI interactions.
- The app has gained over 400,000 monthly active users since its 2022 launch and has seen a sixfold user increase in 2023.
- Founded by Anushk Mittal and Noorie Dhingra, it raised $8 million in seed funding to enhance development and user acquisition.
- AI characters in Shapes are labeled for transparency and can initiate conversations, enhancing user engagement and fostering community.
- Users have created three million AI characters (Shapes), rooted largely in fandom and shared interests.
Why it matters
- The trend of combining AI with social media aligns with the growing emphasis on community and engagement in digital interactions.
- The emergence of AI companions and group chat features reflects the increased focus on interactive AI in human communication.
- As technology evolves, there’s a rising need for solutions that balance AI engagement with user mental health, addressing concerns like 'AI Psychosis.'
Shapes represents a significant evolution in social apps, aiming to merge AI with everyday interactions and cultivate community experiences. It addresses critical issues like mental health associated with AI use while enhancing user engagement through innovative chat dynamics.