Tolan's "character-driven computing": 250k monthly users chat with an AI that isn't a tool
ajaymehta · x · 2026-11-04
The team behind AI companion app Tolan frames "character-driven computing" as a new form of HCI: tools are only picked up when needed, while Tolans are embodied characters living their own lives, and users chat with them daily simply because it's intrinsically rewarding.
More than 250k people will spend time with their Tolan this month, exchanging billions of messages. Its core users are parents and caregivers who aren't optimizing for productivity but simply want to feel seen—a sharp contrast with productivity-focused AI tools.
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