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. Read more →