AI startup Tavus founder says users talk to its AI Santa ‘for hours’ per day

AI Santa is back for his second year at the North Pole, and this time he's watching you more closely than ever. The artificial intelligence from startup Tavus can now see children's facial expressions, remember their conversations, and even search the web for gift ideas during video chats. Parents and kids are spending hours talking to this digital Saint Nick, with founder Hassaan Raza noting they're "on pace to surpass" last year's millions of hits "by a wide margin as Christmas approaches." But the jolly experience comes with modern concerns. When questioned about his authenticity, AI Santa admits he's "powered by Tavus' magic and technology" rather than North Pole magic. Child psychologists worry about kids spending extensive time with AI companions, especially after recent incidents linked chatbot interactions to teenage suicides, prompting some platforms to restrict access for minors. Still, Tavus insists safety measures are in place, with Raza emphasizing that "the vast majority of interactions have been family-friendly and true to the Santa experience."