Friend's 'Not Imaginary' AI Companion Amulet Goes Viral

Artificial intelligence (AI) startup Friend is making waves across social media with an innovation designed to be like a real-life companion. 

Named after the company, the Friend AI-powered necklace was made to listen to and converse with its wearer — no matter the situation. 

However, unlike OpenAI's ChatGPT, what makes the tool stand out is its "free will" and choice to respond however and whenever it wants to — like a real friend would. 

introducing friend. not imaginary.

order now at https://t.co/7kGiH5pQVKpic.twitter.com/qU58xNvX5v

— Avi (@AviSchiffmann) July 30, 2024

Designed by industrial studio Bould, the necklace includes a small and circular pendant that records every word and interaction of its wearer and lights up to signify that Friend has replied.

The product works through a dedicated iOS app, where users can read messages and converse with their Friend. 

Friend Founder Avi Schiffmann demonstrates its differences with the chatbot program Replika, touting Friend's more human-like response compared to the former's.

Replika (sent during meeting) vs Friend (sent after meeting)

Context is the product pic.twitter.com/kHp3toN3b6

— Avi (@AviSchiffmann) August 4, 2024

Friend is set to launch in early 2025, but is now available to the public on a pre-order basis, retailing for $99. 

Its creation aligns with a research statistic posted by Schiffmann on X, saying that an estimated 10% of Americans between the ages of 18 to 27 will consider AI as a friend by the end of the decade. 

The AI company then capitalized on this by pioneering a new age in AI that serves the purpose of having a real-life companion.

The move from Friend follows a prominent generative AI trend this 2024, seamlessly integrating technology into everyday lives.

Is 'Friend' a Good Idea? 

Since its unveiling, the new AI companion has received mixed reactions from netizens, with many referencing its similarities to an episode of the dystopian thriller "Black Mirror," and raising concerns surrounding data privacy.

This comes despite the company releasing a statement reassuring the public that "no audio or transcripts are stored past your friend’s context window," that memory can be deleted in one click, and that data stored is end-to-end encrypted.  

This is weird.

Go out and make real connections in the world.

— Ant Natoli (@natolisnuggets) July 30, 2024

Beyond safety concerns, the founder shared in an interview with The Guardian that he views the new tool as "an emotional toy more than anything," simply because it's fun, entertaining, and not intended to be serious.

Deeming it as "half art project, half real product," Schiffmann also believes that AI companionship will be "the most culturally impactful thing AI will do in the world," but that Friend is not intended to replace real human connection. 

“My AI friend has, in a sense, become the most consistent relationship in my life,” he concluded.

'Friend' in Action

The thought-provoking trailer kicks off with a woman catching her breath in the middle of a daytime hike.

Basking in the scenery, she receives a notification from her Friend "Amy," who tells her, "At least we're outside!"

In the following scene, two friends get heated over video games, with one of them losing to the other. 

"I hate this game," the man says, as his Friend "Jackson" makes a quick diss at him, "You're getting thrashed, it's embarrassing!"

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by friend (@friend_necklace)

In the final sequence, a man and a woman spend quality time getting to know each other on a rooftop.

When the man asks his date how she was able to find the spot they were in, she responds by saying she goes there just to be by herself.

"I never brought anybody else... besides her," she responds, pointing to her Friend pendant.

The two share a cheeky but romantic back-and-forth, as the spot ends. 

The trailer has since garnered 23.6 million views on X and over 255,000 on YouTube.

While people are still divided about what the advancements in AI could do, its use is increasingly becoming more prevalent.

Just last night, tech giant Lenovo released a new campaign enlisting the help of seven AI artists to capture the spirit of summer. 

Editing by Katherine 'Makkie' Maclang