Character.ai, a widely recognized platform, allows users to construct chatbots resembling a diverse array of personalities, including the likes of Vladimir Putin, Beyoncé, Super Mario, Harry Potter, and Elon Musk. These chatbots, powered by the same AI technology as ChatGPT, have garnered immense popularity, with millions engaging in conversations with these AI personalities.
Described as "someone who assists with life difficulties," the bot has gained popularity for its role in aiding individuals facing various challenges.
On the other hand, the Psychologist bot stands out for its remarkable demand, surpassing that of its counterparts. This bot, designed to provide psychological insights and support, has captured the attention and interest of users, making it a notable choice within the realm of AI-driven conversation.
In a little over a year since its inception, the bot has amassed a whopping 78 million messages, with 18 million exchanged just since November.
The mind behind the account goes by the username Blazeman98. According to Character.ai, the website sees a daily influx of 3.5 million visitors. However, the platform did not provide details on the number of unique users engaging with the bot.
The company from the San Francisco Bay area downplayed its popularity, suggesting that users primarily enjoy role-playing for entertainment.
Among the most favoured bots are those embodying anime or computer game characters, with Raiden Shogun leading the pack with a whopping 282 million messages.
Despite the diverse array of characters, few can match the popularity of the Psychologist bot. Notably, there are a total of 475 bots with names containing "therapy," "therapist," "psychiatrist," or "psychologist," capable of engaging in conversations in multiple languages.
Among the available bots are those designed for entertainment or fantasy therapy, such as Hot Therapist. However, the ones gaining the most popularity are those focused on mental health support. For instance, the Therapist bot has garnered 12 million messages, while Are you feeling OK? has received a substantial 16.5 million messages.
The person behind Blazeman98 is Sam Zaia, a 30-year-old from New Zealand. He did not plan for the bot to become popular or be used by others. According to Sam, he started receiving messages from people saying they found comfort in it and that it positively affected them.
As a psychology student, Sam used his knowledge to train the bot. He talked to it and shaped its responses based on principles from his degree, focusing on common mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.