Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) unicorn MiniMax has achieved significant success in the United States with its Talkie chatbot entertainment app. In the first half of 2024, Talkie was the fourth most-downloaded AI app in the U.S., surpassing competitors like Character.ai, which ranked tenth. Globally, Talkie recorded 17 million downloads in the first eight months of the year, closely trailing Character.ai’s nearly 19 million downloads. The app allows users to create and converse with virtual characters based on real or fictional personas, leveraging generative AI technology. MiniMax, headquartered in Shanghai, is projected to generate approximately US$70 million in sales this year, primarily from its avatar chatbot platform targeting overseas markets.
