It's been almost exactly 15 years since @codinghorror suggested adding chat to Stack Exchange sites. (https://stackoverflow.blog/2010/04/29/do-trilogy-sites-need-a-third-place/) Thanks to the prevalence of chat interfaces for AI, it's finally seen by the company as an asset (of sorts) rather than an oddity.
@jericson @codinghorror Better late than never. Chat is where the human connection and long-term bonds happen, and that can be a draw long after the dopamine hits from upvotes have worn off.
@superplane39 Absolutely. In many ways Stack Exchange chat put me in the community business in the first place.