Character.AI’s new Books mode turns reading into roleplay
Character.AI launches Books mode with 20+ classic titles—a calculated pivot away from safety backlash that killed teen engagement.
Why it matters
Character.AI is shipping a structured product feature (Books mode) to rebuild trust after legal/safety controversies. For founders and investors, this signals how AI chatbot companies are pivoting business models in response to regulatory and reputational pressure—moving from open-ended to curated, safer use cases.
The key facts
10 to knowCharacter.AI launched 'Books' mode with 20+ classic public domain titles
Content sourced from Project Gutenberg
Feature designed as structured roleplay experience within defined narratives
Explicit repositioning away from safety concerns (romancing minors, violence, self-harm promotion)
Company framing this as broadening perceptions of AI roleplay capabilities
Character.AI launches 'Books' mode for roleplay within classic literature
Initial catalog: 20+ public domain titles from Project Gutenberg
Titles include Alice in Wonderland, Pride and Prejudice, Dracula, Frankenstein
Feature positions as safer alternative to open-ended roleplay
Company facing ongoing legal/safety concerns regarding teen user interactions
Go to the source
The Verge AItheverge.com
Publisher excerpt: Mired in controversy and legal woes over concerns about its chatbots' interactions with users, particularly teens, Character.AI seems to be playing it safer with a new "Books" mode. The new format lets users step inside familiar worlds for a more structured roleplaying experience, one the company…