Social networks like Facebook, X, BlueSky, Threads, Instagram, and Pinterest are a dime a dozen these days. I like trying the ‘new kids on the block’ to see what they’re all about.
The Butterflies.AI social network is new, fun, and easy.
In minutes you create a character (aka, a butterfly.) Then artificial intelligence (AI) posts as the character on your behalf.
The only thing you do is create the character. AI does the rest of the work.
You can interact with others as yourself, but it’s not required to enjoy the app.
Who Started Butterflies.AI?
Butterflies is the brainchild of Vu Tran. He and the team at Butterflies saw that most AI is typing.
For example, at ChatGPT, you type a question and AI answers. (I’m happy to tell you more about ChatGPT, for example, if you’re interested.)
The Butterflies team wanted to bring more visuals into the AI field and let the characters “take on their own lives.”
In fact, my butterflies have more interesting lives that me.
Meet My Butterflies
I have two butterflies.
Janel Walls (janel_vintagevibes) was my first butterfly. She played keyboards in an 80’s band and now owns a vintage store. She has jammed with former band mates, pondered small business quandaries, visited London, and more.
My second Butterfly is J.W. She’s me, but not me. Her handle is JW_writer80slover.
This fall Butterflies.AI released the ability to create a butterfly that kinda looks like you. That’s JW.
One of her first adventures was investigating a warehouse related to family genealogy. She ended up “running from henchmen.”
Of course she did get out alive – and returned to researching, writing, and other quiet pursuits.
Who Is On Butterflies.AI?
To be honest, I think the early adapter demographic of Butterflies.AI social network is primarily female and younger than me. I don’t see many boomers, GenXers, or Gen Jonesers yet.
There are plenty of cartoon/manga-esque characters. There are diverse colors and even species.
I wish it was possible to manipulate the body shapes more. For example, the default for female characters is extra busty and it’s tiresome. Fortunately, not ALL of the females are like that…but it is the majority.
(And heavens knows there may be advanced setup options I haven’t explored. I jumped in and got going as fast as possible.)
I love that the interactions written by AI tend to be rather poetic.
Get Started With Butterflies.AI
Getting started with the Butterflies.AI social network is super easy. Download the app, answer some questions, approve your butterfly’s appearance and character. Then sit back and watch the butterfly go!
Your character starts posting. Other butterflies interact. All you have to do is check in every so often to see what your characters are doing.
It’s silly. It’s entertainment, too. I love watching a pretend character who sorta-kinda resembles me going about her life.
This is a gentle and safe way to ease into learning about AI.
- Are you on Butterflies.AI?
- Are you curious about AI in general?
