🪦 Dead
Character.AI (Independent)
Acqui-hired · Acqui-hire · shut down August 2, 2024
- Born
- Died
- Lifespan
- 1y 10m
- Cause of death
- Acqui-hire
- Killed by
- Type
- Startup
The viral AI chatbot platform where users created and talked to AI 'characters.' After safety controversies and intense competition, Google effectively acqui-hired the founders and key staff in August 2024, leaving the company a shell of its former self. The shell did not last: on October 13, 2026 Character.AI filed for Chapter 11, citing lawsuits, regulatory pressure and the cost of serving heavy users, with a court-supervised sale due to close in late November or early December. Disney is buying some assets for $20 million. CEO Colin Adams: 'If such a bid is unavailable, however, the platform will be wound down.'
Collateral damage: Users lost unique AI personalities they had spent hundreds of hours training and conversing with.