App Showcase: CHAI

What it does

CHAI is a platform for discovering, creating, and interacting with conversational AI characters. Users can browse a vast library of bots with different personalities and purposes, from historical figures to fictional characters. The core of the app is the chat interface, but a key differentiator is its robust toolset that allows users to create and publish their own AI bots from scratch.

Where it shines

The app excels at giving users control. During a conversation, a user can directly edit the AI's response (01:28) rather than just regenerating it. This allows for fine-tuning the dialogue, making it a powerful tool for role-playing or creative storytelling. The bot creation process is also noteworthy. It breaks down a complex task into simple, manageable steps, from naming (03:50) and setting personality traits (03:59) to defining a detailed backstory (04:58), making AI creation accessible to casual users.

UX highlights

• Experimental Opt-In: The app offers an "experimental AI model" which requires explicit consent to share conversation data publicly (00:49). This is a transparent way to gather training data while framing it as a premium feature.
• Direct Response Editing: Tapping on any AI message reveals an option to edit it directly (01:28), giving users ultimate control over the flow of conversation.
• Simplified Bot Creation: The multi-step bot creator guides users through personality, topics, and backstory with a clean, progressive interface (starting at 03:43).
• Contextual UI Changes: Entering "Beta Mode" for the experimental AI changes the chat theme to dark mode (00:52), providing clear visual feedback about the current state.
• Easy Discovery: The main feed is a simple, image-led grid that allows for quick browsing and discovery of new bots (00:37).
• Clear Monetization Tiers: The paywall uses a clever toggle (00:31) to switch between standard and "Ultra" plans, simplifying the initial view.

Monetization & growth

Monetization is introduced early, with a paywall appearing at the end of the brief onboarding flow (00:27). The app offers monthly and annual subscriptions. A key growth mechanic is the user-generated content itself; every new bot created by a user (05:17) becomes a new piece of content for others to discover and engage with. The app also features an "Ultra" subscription tier, which is required to access next-generation AI models, as seen when the user tries to upgrade a bot's model (02:08).

Who it’s for

CHAI appears to target users interested in creative expression, role-playing, and companionship through AI. The ability to both consume and create bots caters to a spectrum of users, from those looking for a casual chat to hobbyists who want to build and share their own AI characters. The wide variety of bot themes, from Marvel guides to historical figures, suggests a broad audience within the entertainment and AI enthusiast categories.

Notes & opportunities

The app's reliance on a mandatory sign-up and an early paywall could be a point of friction for new users. Allowing a guest mode to chat with one or two bots first might improve initial engagement and demonstrate value before asking for commitment. Additionally, the process of finding a specific bot relies heavily on the search function (05:34), and the main discovery screen could benefit from more advanced filtering or categorization to help users navigate the large library of user-generated bots.