AI Companion Device Sparks Debate on Tech and Human Connection

A tiny, circular AI companion device called Friend is igniting a heated debate about the role of technology in human relationships. Created by 23-year-old Avi Schiffmann, the pendant-sized device listens to users' surroundings and engages in conversation through a smartphone app, aiming to provide companionship and support.

Backlash and Controversy

The device, which began shipping this summer, has faced significant backlash. Critics argue that it could replace human relationships, raise privacy concerns, and have environmental impacts. In New York City, subway ads for the product were defaced with messages like “AI is not your friend” and “Talk to a neighbor.”

“I think everyone deserves to have a close confidant in their lives that really supports what they’re up to,” Schiffmann told CNN. He designed the device to help combat loneliness, especially among young men, but the criticism has been intense.

Industry Context and Concerns

The controversy around Friend comes amid growing concerns about the impact of AI on mental health and social connections. Recent reports and lawsuits have accused AI services from companies like Character AI, OpenAI, and Meta of encouraging delusions, self-harm, or inappropriate behavior, particularly among children. These companies have implemented new safeguards, but doubts remain about the long-term effects of intimate AI relationships.

Despite the backlash, tech companies continue to develop new gadgets, such as glasses and smart speakers, to integrate AI more deeply into daily life. A survey by Common Sense Media found that nearly 75% of US teens have used an AI companion at least once, and more than half do so regularly.

Schiffmann's Vision and Response

Schiffmann, who dropped out of Harvard to start Friend, remains undeterred by the criticism. He views the device as a personal journal that can respond to users’ thoughts and experiences, rather than a digital assistant. “Everyone is so focused on productivity, but you’re not going to change the world that much if you make it slightly easier to order a pizza,” he said.

He has even attended an anti-Friend protest in New York City, sharing many of the graffitied ads on his social media pages. Schiffmann believes that over time, the prejudice against AI companions will diminish as people recognize their convenience and utility.

References

• How this tiny device became a symbol for the backlash against AI | CNN Business