Character AI appoints Karandeep Anand as new CEO
Character AI, the chatbot platform that's huge with Gen Z, just named Karandeep Anand as its new CEO.
He's taking over from co-founder Noam Shazeer, who left for Google just under a year ago.
The company is growing fast but is also facing serious questions about user safety.
Chatbot platform popular among Gen Z
Most Character AI users are between 18 and 24, and the platform is especially popular among women.
But after a recent lawsuit linked a chatbot to the tragic death of a 14-year-old boy, safety concerns have become urgent.
Anand says he'll roll out big updates soon—think better safety filters, smarter AI models, clearer rules, and more ways to keep conversations safe and fun.
Anand's experience from Meta
Anand brings experience from Meta. He's already helped shape Character AI as an adviser and now wants to push the platform forward with better tech while making sure it stays safe for everyone.
Shazeer moves to Google
He's stepping in for Noam Shazeer, who left for Google—a move that got some attention since Google invests in Character AI.
This leadership change comes right as the company faces both rapid growth and major trust challenges.