Google has employed the founders of this AI startup, learn the corporate’s ‘welcome word’

Character.AI, recognized for its versatile chatbots, has introduced a partnership with Google. The deal grants Google a non-exclusive license to Character.AI‘s cutting-edge massive language mannequin know-how. This collaboration brings Character.AI’s founders, Noam Shazeer and Daniel De Freitas, full circle. Each beforehand labored at Google, with Shazeer co-authoring the groundbreaking “Consideration Is All You Want” paper.Nonetheless, the AI panorama has seen a expertise exodus, with many paper co-authors departing to launch their very own ventures.
Character.AI will proceed to function independently underneath interim CEO Dominic Perella, assuring its consumer base. “Our proficient group stays devoted to constructing the Character.AI platform and serving our rising neighborhood,” the corporate said.
This deal underscores the fierce competitors for AI expertise and know-how. Latest months have seen Microsoft and Amazon recruit key personnel from promising AI startups.
For Google, the partnership alerts a give attention to regaining its footing in AI. The discharge of OpenAI’s ChatGPT spurred inside considerations about being overtaken regardless of previous breakthroughs. Google has since merged its AI labs into Google DeepMind, led by AI luminary Demis Hassabis.

“…thrilled to have him again”

“We’re thrilled to welcome Shazeer again,” a Google spokesperson mentioned. Shazeer will rejoin DeepMind with a choose group. He expressed pleasure about returning and collaborating with Google DeepMind whereas acknowledging Character.AI’s achievements, “I am happy with what we constructed collectively.” He believes the Google partnership will guarantee Character.AI’s “continued success.” Monetary particulars stay undisclosed.
Character.AI initially aimed to create a versatile AI platform for creating varied providers. Final yr, the founders envisioned a future the place everybody might entry customized AI companions.
The platform permits customers to create chatbots impersonating anybody – actual or fictional. Thousands and thousands of chatbots have been created, some turning into widespread dialog companions. For instance, a bot mimicking the Genshin Impression character Raiden Shogun has obtained over 371 million messages.
Lately, Character.AI expanded past textual content, introducing “Character Calls” for cellphone calls with chatbots and “Character Voice” for producing customized voices.
Whereas a return to Google appeared unlikely final yr, this partnership alerts a brand new chapter within the AI race, with established gamers and rising stars collaborating to push the boundaries of the sphere.