Character.AI plans to ban children from talking with its AI chatbots starting next month amid growing scrutiny over how young users are interacting with the technology.

The company, known for its vast array of AI characters, will remove the ability for users under 18 years old to engage in “open-ended” conversations with AI by Nov. 25. It plans to begin ramping down access in the coming weeks, initially restricting kids to two hours of chat time per day.

Character.AI noted that it plans to develop an “under-18 experience” in which teens can create videos, stories and streams with its AI characters.

“We’re making these changes to our under-18 platform in light of the evolving landscape around AI and teens,” the company said in a blog........

© The Hill