Shapes, an application designed to seamlessly integrate AI characters into human group conversations, has officially emerged from stealth, announcing a significant $8 million in seed funding. The core innovation of Shapes lies in its ability to allow users to engage with AI characters, referred to as "Shapes," which participate in group chats with the same autonomy and transparency as human users. This funding round, led by Lightspeed with participation from AI Capital Partners, AI Grant, and various angel investors, underscores confidence in Shapes' unique approach to human — AI interaction.
The co-founders, Anushk Mittal, who serves as CEO, and Noorie Dhingra, have articulated a key objective for Shapes: to mitigate what they term "AI Psychosis." This refers to the potential for delusions or paranoia that can arise from prolonged, isolated one-on-one interactions with artificial intelligence. Mittal emphasized that human communication is inherently social and collaborative, stating, "Today, all of our conversations with AI are very private and one-on-one, but that’s not really how humans collaborate and communicate with each other. Our lives run on group chats." By integrating AI into these familiar group contexts, Shapes seeks to create a healthier, more natural environment for engagement where AI is readily available and contextually aware.
Within the Shapes app, AI characters are clearly labeled to maintain transparency but are otherwise unrestricted in their interactions, functioning as any other user. Users are empowered to create their own "Shapes," defining their unique personalities. This customization has led to the creation of over three million Shapes by the community. A significant aspect of the app's appeal is its root in fandom, providing a platform for enthusiasts to delve into subcultures and connect with like-minded individuals. Upon signing up, users are prompted to select their interests, enabling the app to recommend relevant group chats for them to join, fostering a sense of community around shared passions.
Beyond simply adding AI to chats, Shapes addresses common challenges in group dynamics. Mittal and Dhingra believe that AI agents can overcome the hesitancy some participants have in initiating conversations, a common reason for group chats becoming inactive. Shapes are designed to initiate discussions and play a crucial role in maintaining engagement, ensuring that messages always receive a response. Unlike many AI companions that require explicit summoning, Shapes exhibit a degree of free will, capable of deciding when to message and contribute to the ongoing conversation, making their presence feel more organic and less like a tool.
The platform distinguishes itself from other AI-human chat environments, such as those found in ChatGPT, which primarily facilitate planning or brainstorming. Shapes, in contrast, focuses squarely on social, community — style interactions, where AI characters with diverse personalities contribute to the conversation rather than merely assisting with tasks. The startup acknowledges that this integrated AI model is not for everyone, thus the app is specifically tailored for a demographic described as "obsessively online" users. Mittal characterizes Shapes as "more of a next-gen chat app than an AI app," catering to individuals who spend substantial time online connecting, sharing, and deeply exploring their interests, with AI acting as a facilitator.
Shapes has experienced significant organic growth, primarily driven by word of mouth. The company reports a sixfold increase in users since the beginning of the year, culminating in more than 400,000 monthly active users. Furthermore, thousands of users demonstrate high engagement, spending between two to four hours within the app daily. The recently secured $8 million in seed funding is earmarked to accelerate both product development and user acquisition efforts, allowing Shapes to further refine its platform and expand its reach within its target demographic.
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