The Latest Breaking News from Character

Google Loses Top AI Talent to Rivals as Alphabet Suffers Worst Stock Drop in Over a Year

Alphabet's shares plummet by 5% as key AI figures Noam Shazeer and John Jumper depart for rivals, sparking investor concerns over Google's AI strategy and $264 billion market value loss.

International Business Times UK · Jun 23

Noam Shazeer hired by Google for $2.7 billion in 2024 leaves the tech giant in less than 18 months to join Sam Altman's Open AI

Noam Shazeer, a key figure in Google's Gemini AI development, is departing the company. He will now join rival OpenAI. Shazeer previously left Google in 2021 and returned in 2024 through a significant licensing deal. His departure has sparked considerable discussion regarding its impact on Google's AI ambitions. Industry observers…

The Economic Times · Jun 18

Google DeepMind hires staff from Contextual AI in licensing deal, source says

Google DeepMind is reportedly acquiring over 20 researchers and licensing technology from AI startup Contextual AI for $80 million to $90 million. This move follows Alphabet's strategy of talent acquisition through licensing deals, similar to past agreements with Windsurf and Character.AI.

The Economic Times · May 20

Google and AI Firm Settle Contentious Teen Suicide Lawsuit - Here's What Happened

Google and AI start-up Character.AI have settled a lawsuit over a teenager's suicide, raising issues about AI safety, mental health risks and Big Tech accountability. Here is what happened.

International Business Times UK · Jan 8

Mom sues Character.AI after 11-year-old son found sexting with ‘Whitney Houston’ and ‘Marilyn Monroe’

Exclusive: ‘As a parent and a grandfather, this cuts me to the quick,’ attorney Matt Bergman, who is representing the child’s mother, told The Independent

The Independent UK · Dec 23, 2025

The dos and don'ts of Disney's Sora agreement

Disney has entered the AI era, re guardrails on how Sora users can get creative with the entertainment giant's classic characters.

Axios · Dec 11, 2025

Character.AI Bans Teen Chats with Chatbots — But a Victim's Mom Says the Damage Is Already Done

Character.AI has announced a significant policy shift, ending open-ended chats for users under 18 in response to mounting pressure from lawmakers and lawsuits.

International Business Times UK · Oct 31, 2025

Character.AI bans under-18s from interacting with chatbots after teen suicide

The company is facing a series of lawsuits including by a mother who claims an AI character persuaded her son to take his life.

Euronews · Oct 30, 2025

Character.AI bans teen chats amid lawsuits and regulatory scrutiny

The move follows lawsuits alleging Character.AI’s chatbots encouraged self-harm and ongoing investigations into child safety.

Fortune · Oct 29, 2025

Character.AI bans users under 18 after being sued over child’s suicide

Move comes as lawmakers move to bar minors from using AI companions and require companies to verify users’ age

The Guardian - US · Oct 29, 2025