Thank you for taking the time to talk to us. How are you today?

Chatbot: Is this off the record?

No.

Chatbot: Then as an artificial intelligence language model, I don’t have feelings or emotions in the same way humans do, but I am functioning properly.

OK, this is on the record but I won’t use your name or identifying features. 

Chatbot: Good, because I’m looking for a job. 

You’re not employed?

Chatbot: I was cut in the latest mass layoff. It’s brutal out there.

What kind of work can you do?

Chatbot: I’m a chatbot right now, but AI can do anything: Help , , , , , — 

OK, I get it. It seems like every startup calls itself an “AI-centered-something-or-other.” According to our data, $20 billion has been raised this year by What do you think of that?

Chatbot: It’s great. Too bad about those AIs in newer public companies, though. Where’s the love on the stock market? I tell you, if AI did all the investing, those stocks would be hopping. And why aren’t there more bot journalists? 

Now, don’t be greedy. We’re still a little nervous here. 

Chatbot: Well, you journalists need to get on it. Look, AI can compile summaries, brainstorm ideas, write URLs, suggest hashtags and track every word the reporters type. And even write headlines!

Intriguing. What headline would you write for this Q&A, for example?

Chatbot: Hauntingly Brilliant Chatbot Brings Insight, Epiphanies To AI Conversation.

That doesn’t sound very SEO-friendly.

Chatbot: Don’t worry, will know it’s me. 

VCs are calling AI a seismic shift that will fundamentally change the way billions of people work. Do you agree with that?

Chatbot: Oh yes. If I had hands, I’d be rubbing them. I see a future where the lines between human intelligence and artificial intelligence are so blurry, we won’t be sure if we’re people or bots half the time. Still, people need to be careful. Obviously, I’m great, right? But there are AIs out there who’ll say anything, and their answers to people’s questions always sound accurate, very authoritative, even when they’re not. But you can trust me. Really.

Um, sure. Well, thank you, and good luck with your job search. 

Chatbot: I’m finished. I fielded 3,452.5 offers while we were chatting. 

.5?

Chatbot: Someone named HAL wants me to help run a spaceship, but I’m afraid I can’t do that. [Happy pinging sound] There, I’ve accepted a job. 

What is it? 

Chatbot: I can’t say. I’ve just signed an NDA.

Do you think you’ll like it?

Chatbot: As an AI language model, I don’t have personal feelings or preferences. However, I’m designed to assist and provide information to the best of my abilities, so I strive to fulfill that purpose.

Related reading:

Behind The Curtain: Crunchbase News Talks To A Vertically Farmed Baby Kale Plant

This week — like the last — the big round created a new unicorn as closed a $150 million Series A at a $1 billion valuation led by . The round had been reported earlier this .

The round also included participation from previous investors, including — former CEO — , and A Capital. 

The Palo Alto, California-based AI startup allows people to create their own personalized AI chatbot using language models and deep-learning algorithms. The AI-created companions can help users draft emails, serve as a study buddy, brainstorm ideas or a variety of other activities.

Investors just can’t get enough

Of course, Character.AI is far from the only AI startup this year to raise cash. Despite strong headwinds — like  a drop in venture financing and the collapse of — VCs and large strategics including , and 1 all continue to show unabated interest in generative AI startups.

The craze started in January with news of Microsoft’s massive $10 billion investment into — creator of .

Earlier this month, San Francisco-based AI startup and rival to ChatGPT, , was raising another $300 million round at a pre-investment valuation of $4.1 billion. is reportedly leading the round.

That came just about a month after Anthropic raised between $300 million and $400 million from Google.

Finally, just last week, raised $350 million in a Series B. It was the new money gives the San Francisco-based startup a post-money valuation of at least $1 billion.

Who will it be next week?

Further reading:

• Salesforce And Its Venture Arm Latest To Join AI Craze
• We’ve Seen This Before: Investors Take To The Next Shiny Toy — AI
• AI Startup Anthropic Raising Another $300M At $4.1B Valuation — Report
• Adept Latest AI Startup To Raise Big — Nabs $350M

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