A new app called Shapes is emerging from stealth with $8 million in seed funding, aiming to blend AI characters into group conversations alongside humans. The app, which functions like Discord but with AI participants, has already attracted over 400,000 monthly active users.
Founded in 2022 by Anushk Mittal and Noorie Dhingra, Shapes seeks to address what they call "AI psychosis" — a phenomenon where prolonged one-on-one interactions with AI chatbots can lead to delusions or paranoia. By integrating AI into existing group chats with real people, the app aims to keep social connections intact while leveraging AI assistance.
"Today, all of our conversations with AI are very private and one-on-one, but that's not really how humans collaborate and communicate with each other," said Mittal. "Our lives run on group chats. That's where we spend all of our time. That's where we talk and communicate with each other. It's just natural to bring AI into those same conversations where AI has all of the context and is readily available to help you."
The app allows users to create or join group chats that include both human friends and AI characters with distinct personalities. The AI can contribute to discussions, answer questions, or help with tasks, all within the context of the group.