‘Black Mirror’-esque Friend companion prompts AI startup founders to clash

Wearable AI Companion Feud

Friend unveiled its wearable AI companion, sparking a dispute among three startups over alleged branding similarities. Based Hardware and Based Social also offer necklace devices similar to Friend, focusing on productivity like Friend does emotional support.

Based Hardware’s founder, Nik Shevchenko, accused Friend’s founder, Avi Schiffmann, of copying branding. Schiffmann retaliated, claiming Shevchenko copied his original product Tab and pre-launch rebrand to Friend. The feud escalated on social media, with accusations and counter-accusations.

Origin of Friend AI Companion

Friend, the AI pendant designed for emotional support, was announced on the International Day of Friendship. The device listens to conversations and texts responses to the user’s phone, serving as a close confidant. Friend is set to launch early next year in the U.S. and Canada, initially compatible only with iOS.

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AI Companion Friend Sparks Controversy

The reveal of Friend, a new AI companion, sparked controversy on social media. The trailer for the product resembled a scene from a Black Mirror episode, leading many to question its true intentions. While some found comfort in the idea of interacting with an AI companion, others criticized the concept.

Privacy Concerns Surrounding Friend

Many users expressed concerns about the lack of privacy information provided by Friend. The terms and conditions as well as the privacy policy on Friend’s website failed to address how user information would be used. This raised suspicions that Friend may be collecting and selling user data without consent.

Some users also raised questions about the constant recording feature of Friend, suggesting that it could lead to breaches of privacy and potential misuse of personal data.

Despite the controversy, Friend invested heavily in marketing, including acquiring the domain Friend.com for $1.8 million. This move highlights the competitive nature of the AI companion market and the importance of branding in attracting investors and customers.

Topics
Artificial Intelligence