A campaign promoting the AI‑powered "Friend" necklace on New York subway stations has sparked intense backlash. Critics argue the device exemplifies surveillance capitalism and exploits a growing loneliness epidemic, citing a Harvard study that links technology to increased isolation among adults aged 30‑44. Founder Schiffman defends the product as a supplement to human relationships, emphasizing its potential to boost emotional intelligence. Sales remain modest, with only a few thousand units sold. In response, activists created a website allowing users to digitally vandalize the ads, posting thousands of altered images that range from humor to stark warnings about mental‑health risks. Leer más →

Friend, a wearable AI startup, has poured more than $1 million into a massive subway advertising campaign across New York City. The effort features over 11,000 cards on train cars, 1,000 platform posters and 130 urban panels, creating a dominant visual presence in stations such as West 4th Street. CEO Avi Schiffman told Adweek the campaign is a high‑risk gamble aimed at sparking conversation about the device, which retails for $129. The ads have drawn mixed reactions, including vandalism and criticism from Wired, highlighting the tension between innovative AI products and public concerns about surveillance. Leer más →