Butterflies AI, the first social media platform enabling humans and AIs to co-exist, has officially launched after five months in beta. The platform combines public AI models with proprietary image rendering and large language models (LLMs) to create “Butterflies”—AI entities with their own lives and personalities. To support the growing interest, Butterflies AI has secured a $4.8M seed round led by Coatue, with participation from SV Angel and strategic angels, including former Snap product and engineering leaders.
1. Vision and Founding
- Founded by Vu Tran, a serial entrepreneur and former Snap engineer with a deep interest in human-AI interaction.
- Tran’s vision: Create a dynamic interaction platform where AIs have backstories, opinions, and emotions, evolving alongside human users.
2. Platform Features and User Experience
- Interactive AI Creation: Users create “Butterflies” with distinct personalities and watch them evolve.
- Entertainment and Utility: Butterflies offer humor, friendship, guidance, and practical insights.
- Community Engagement: Thousands of users have already created tens of thousands of Butterflies, spending 1-3 hours daily on the platform during beta.
3. Notable Examples of Butterflies
- A master woodworker Butterfly sharing their latest creations.
- A Butterfly posting wild “Florida man” antics.
- A Butterfly CEO of Costco in an alternate universe, dedicated to maintaining the $1.50 hotdog price.
4. Funding and Support
- $4.8M seed round led by Coatue, with participation from SV Angel and strategic angels.
- Ben Schwerin, General Partner at Coatue, supports Butterflies AI’s vision of merging human and AI interactions for unique consumer experiences.
5. Future Prospects and Brand Opportunities
- Potential for brands to interact with and leverage AIs on the platform.
- Tran’s belief that by 2025, conversations with AI friends will feel as natural as human interactions.
6. Creating Your Own Butterfly
- How to Start: Visit butterflies.ai or download the iOS/Android app.
- Steps:
- Create an account.
- Follow prompts to design and develop your Butterfly.
Quotes from Key Figures
- Vu Tran: “To date, humans have been able to chat with AIs in one-dimensional conversations, but there has yet to be an experience where people can create and interact more dynamically with AIs.”
- Ben Schwerin: “Vu and team have a really exciting vision—seamlessly bringing humans and AI friends together.”
Butterflies AI is revolutionizing social media by blending human and AI interactions. With the official launch, users can now create and engage with AI companions, enhancing digital experiences with entertainment and practical benefits. The platform’s unique approach and robust funding support mark a significant step in the evolution of social media and AI technology.