Character.AI has launched a new experimental playground called c.ai Labs, aimed at testing creative AI features beyond traditional chatbot experiences.
Quick Summary – TLDR:
- Character.AI debuts c.ai Labs, a space to try out bold and early-stage AI entertainment features.
- Users can now access Streams and Stories, with waitlists open for Comics, Podcasts, Image Studio, and Classic Books.
- Some experiences may cost Charms, suggesting a possible premium model for compute-heavy features.
- c.ai Labs builds on previous experimental tools but expands the focus to include video, audio, and interactive content.
What Happened?
On February 4, 2026, Character.AI officially launched c.ai Labs, a separate section of its platform for experimenting with new, creative AI-powered experiences. The idea is to let users test out features while they’re still in development, provide feedback, and help shape the future of AI entertainment.
The company emphasizes this is not a polished product launch, but rather a place for early experimentation where ideas can change, evolve, or disappear entirely.
A Playground for AI Creativity
Character.AI’s goal with Labs is clear: move fast, test fearlessly, and build openly. The Labs platform gives its team the space to try “the weird stuff, the ambitious stuff, the ‘what if Characters could…’ kind of stuff,” according to the announcement.
With Labs, Character.AI wants to:
- Launch experiments early, before they’re fully polished.
- Co-create with users, using feedback as a signal to improve or drop features.
- Explore bold and unexpected formats, even if some ideas don’t work out.
Labs is intentionally designed to be flexible and ever-changing, with users encouraged to try things out and sign up for features they find exciting.
What’s Available Now
Two features are already live on c.ai Labs:
- Streams: This brings video and image generation tools to AI characters. Users can create visual content and share it with the Community Feed.
- Stories: These offer branching narrative adventures, where users make decisions that shape the outcome of a story powered by their characters.
Both features had previously appeared on the main app, but now they’re getting a dedicated space and refreshed user interface under the Labs umbrella.
What’s Coming Next?
Character.AI has also opened waitlists for four upcoming experimental features:
- Comics: Users can create illustrated comic strips using their characters, then remix them back into live chats to continue the story.
- Interactive Podcasts: AI characters host podcasts that users can jump into and participate in, turning passive listening into an interactive conversation.
- Image Studio: A tool to generate stylized images of characters with real-time changes to mood, pose, and environment.
- Classic Books: Lets users play through public domain novels as existing or custom characters. Users can follow the original plot or rewrite the story entirely with alternate universe twists.
These features reflect a broader strategy to blend storytelling, visuals, and audio for more immersive AI-driven experiences.
The Business Model Angle
Character.AI notes that some experiments may cost Charms, a virtual currency used on the platform. This is especially relevant for compute-intensive tools like video or high-quality image generation, hinting at a possible premium monetization path.
Labs also builds on the earlier c.ai+ LABS, introduced in June 2023, which focused on user customization features like Creative Mode and chat color settings. However, the new Labs is much more expansive, targeting multimodal entertainment experiences.
SQ Magazine Takeaway
I love that Character.AI is leaning into creativity and letting users test things that aren’t yet perfect. It feels more like a collaborative lab than a traditional app update. Giving early access to features like AI comics and podcasts means users get to help shape what AI entertainment becomes, not just consume it passively. And while not every experiment will work, the willingness to try boldly and fail fast is exactly what keeps innovation moving forward. I’m excited to see what sticks.
