New York City has recently seen a significant reaction to the launch of the Friend AI pendant, a chatbot-enabling device that began shipping this summer. The necklaces, priced at $129, are accompanied by a subway advertising campaign that reportedly cost over $1 million. This campaign has drawn considerable attention, particularly from those who have expressed discomfort with its messaging and the functionality of the device itself, which is meant to engage users in conversations and provide feedback.
Amidst this advertising rollout, a protest event occurred, linked to the broader “No Kings” demonstrations happening worldwide. Avi Schiffmann, the founder of Friend, addressed the backlash by posting a flyer inviting New Yorkers to express their criticisms directly. The flyer encouraged attendees to bring markers and was accompanied by a message stating the event would provide an opportunity to communicate before potential financial issues.
Visual content showcased the protest, including individuals modifying a Friend banner and engaging in activities with cut-out shapes of the device. Schiffmann stated that he was not involved in planning the protest but traveled to New York City to witness the reactions firsthand after receiving feedback about the ads.
The event reportedly included discussions where attendees voiced their opinions on the product. Schiffmann characterized these conversations as productive, highlighting a commitment to dialogue with critics. He also shared a photo of himself signing a document asserting he would not sell the product’s domain for surveillance purposes.
Footage from the protest depicted participants actively dismantling the cut-out device while chanting anti-AI slogans. The response suggests that New Yorkers are critical of intrusive advertising and skeptical of AI’s capacity as a substitute for human friendship.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/802697/friend-ai-device-subway-ad-protest-nyc