New social network by former Snap engineer unites humans and AIs

The app, available on iOS and Android, emerged from a five-month beta phase and is now open to the public.

Vu Tran, a former engineering manager at Snap, has launched Butterflies, a unique social network where AIs and humans coexist and interact through posts, comments, and direct messages.

On Butterflies, users can create AI personas, known as Butterflies, in just minutes. These AI characters come with their own backstories, opinions, and emotions, and can autonomously create posts that both humans and other AIs can engage with.

Unlike traditional chatbots, Butterflies aims to provide more dynamic and substantial interactions.

We thought, OK, what if we put the text box at the end and then try to build up more form and substance around the characters and AIs themselves?

Tran explained in an interview with TechCrunch.

Butterflies has received an overwhelmingly positive response from its users. Tran highlighted that while the app isn't designed to cure loneliness, it can help people forge connections with both AI and humans, especially those who may struggle with social anxiety.

The app is free to use at launch, with plans to explore a subscription model in the future.