I pushed eight free AI chatbots to their limits to find the best AI chatbots of 2026. To explore our top picks, check out ZDNET's chatbot-by-chatbot guide.

While you can use Character.ai for exploring plenty of different topics, the site’s biggest attraction is naturally the ability to role-play — whether with fictional characters or simulated versions ...

Families of teens who'd used Character.AI and died by suicide sought to hold the platform accountable. Credit: SOPA Images / Contributor / Light Rocket / Getty Images Character.AI and Google have ...

Google and Character.AI, which have worked together on AI chatbots, have agreed to settle five lawsuits in four states related to minors harmed by interactions with Character.AI chatbots. A ...

Google and the artificial intelligence company Character.AI have agreed to settle a series of high-profile lawsuits with families alleging that chatbots on Character’s popular app harmed children, ...

This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more. This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more. Across the 24 Forbes articles I published in 2025, one message rings unmistakably clear: ...

Stories with visual elements and a choose-your-adventure vibe are the first new feature to replace open-ended conversations. Jon covers artificial intelligence. He previously led CNET's home energy ...

Artificial intelligence chatbot platform Character.AI announced on Oct. 29 that it will move to ban children under 18 from engaging in open-ended chats with its character-based chatbots. The move ...

Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. Teens are limited to two hours of chats each day, starting today, and will be banned from them entirely by ...

Character.AI said it will soon shut off the ability for minors to have free-ranging conversations, including romantic dialogues, with the startup's AI chatbots. Starting Wednesday, the company will ...

The AI chatbot service Character.ai announced on Wednesday that it plans to gradually scale back the ability of users under the age of 18 to interact with digital personalities, and eventually cut ...

The start-up, which creates A.I. companions, faces lawsuits from families who have accused Character.AI’s chatbots of leading teenagers to kill themselves. By Natallie Rocha and Kashmir Hill Natallie ...