"If you haven't already heard of Friend, the company that makes a $129 wearable AI companion-a plastic disk, containing a microphone, on a necklace-you probably also have not seen Friend's recent ad campaign. Late this past summer, Friend paid $1 million to plaster more than 10,000 white posters throughout the New York City subway system with messages such as I'll binge the entire series with you."
"People hate these billboards. Revile them, even. Across the city, the ads are covered in graffiti criticizing the pendant (it doesn't have eyes, bruh; CRINGE) as well as the idea of AI altogether (AI wouldn't care if you lived or died); some vandals invite you to volunteer with a community garden-you will meet cool people! Many of the ads have been ripped and torn."
Friend produces a $129 wearable AI companion that takes the form of a plastic disk with a microphone worn on a necklace. The company spent $1 million to place over 10,000 white posters in the New York City subway featuring friendly, conversational messages such as "I'll binge the entire series with you." The posters drew intense negative reactions across the city, including graffiti, ripped and torn ads, and criticisms of both the pendant and AI broadly. Founder Avi Schiffmann visited the vandalized sites, described the backlash as intentional provocation, and framed the campaign as a contemporary, ironic marketing tactic.
Read at The Atlantic
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