Google Eyes AI Startup Character.AI for Potential Investment

/ Discover Google’s potential multimillion-dollar investment in Character.AI, an AI startup founded by former Google employees.

By Nilesh Badwar.

Nov 11, 2023, 13:21 PM IST

In a move signaling Google’s keen interest in the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence, the tech giant is reportedly exploring a substantial investment in Character.AI, an AI startup founded by former Google employees Noam Shazeer and Daniel De Freitas. The investment, rumored to amount to hundreds of millions of dollars, is said to focus on enhancing Character.AI’s capabilities in training artificial intelligence chatbot models.

According to sources familiar with the matter, the potential investment is expected to take the form of convertible notes, solidifying the already-existing collaboration between Google and Character.AI. Currently, Character.AI leverages Google’s cloud services and Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) for model training.

Character.AI has carved its niche by offering a platform where users can engage in conversations with virtual versions of celebrities such as Billie Eilish. Additionally, the startup empowers users to craft their own chatbots and AI assistants. The platform operates on a freemium model, allowing users to access basic features for free while also offering a subscription-based model for more advanced functionalities.

Since its launch, Character.AI has seen remarkable traction, with the company revealing that its website has garnered an impressive 100 million monthly visits within the first six months. This potential infusion of funds from Google could not only signify a significant step for Character.AI but also deepen the collaborative efforts between the two entities, showcasing the evolving landscape of AI innovation and its applications in the tech industry.

Google’s Discover Feed Now Available on Desktop Homepage for Some Indian Users

/ Google’s Discover Feed now on desktop homepage for select Indian users – Stay updated with news, weather, sports, and stock updates.

By Babloo Farkade.

Oct 13, 2023 22:11 PM IST

In a notable development for tech enthusiasts and daily web surfers, Google, the global technology behemoth, has initiated testing for the integration of its Discover Feed on its desktop homepage. This new feature, which augments Google’s traditional search box, is aimed at delivering an enhanced user experience by offering a curated selection of suggested content. Google originally introduced the Discover Feed to its mobile homepage for users in the United States back in 2018, and it has since become a prominent and well-loved feature.

As per reports by The Verge and Gadgets Now, Google’s desktop homepage in India now boasts the inclusion of the Discover Feed. This dynamically evolving feed features a comprehensive spectrum of information, including news headlines, weather forecasts, sports scores, and real-time stock updates for three distinct companies. The move has been officially confirmed by Lara Levin, a Google spokesperson, who emphasized that the company is actively conducting this trial with a select group of users in India.

For Android users, the Discover Feed is a familiar presence, visible just beneath the search bar within Google’s mobile apps. Furthermore, on some Android devices, this feature is thoughtfully positioned on the leftmost pane of the Home screens, ensuring users have swift access to personalized and up-to-the-minute information. Following suit, the desktop version of the Google Discover Feed mirrors this accessibility, appearing just below the search bar for an intuitive user experience.

Considering that Google.com remains the most visited website globally, any modifications to its interface are of considerable importance to users across the world. Currently the Discover Feed integration is presently limited to a select group of users. Google’s choice to roll out the feature gradually and judiciously reflects the company’s commitment to fine-tuning the user experience and ensuring that the feature meets its high standards.

In essence, the introduction of the Discover Feed on Google’s desktop homepage is poised to make information more accessible and relevant, enhancing the browsing experience for users.