The transient flurry of AI-powered wearables just like the Humane AI Pin and the Rabbit R1 does not appear to have caught on the way in which their creators hoped, however one appears to be banking on the concept what we actually need from an AI companion is continuous drama and traumatic backstories. Friend, whose pendant hardware is not even out but, has debuted an online platform on Friend.com to permit folks to speak to random examples of AI characters. The factor is, each individual I and a number of other others talked to goes via the worst day or week of their lives.
Firings, muggings, and darkish household secrets and techniques popping out are simply a few of the opening gambits from the AI chatbots. These are occasions that may result in tough conversations along with your finest pal. A complete stranger (that you simply’re pretending is human) mustn’t kick off a attainable friendship whereas present process intense trauma. That is not what CEO Avi Schiffmann highlights within the video asserting the web site, after all.
Immediately we’re releasing all people’s Associates into the world.Quickly you’ll convey them wherever with you.Meet your Pal now at https://t.co/yaREoc3FHW. pic.twitter.com/ny6OpnykPANovember 14, 2024
Dramatic AI
You possibly can see typical examples of the AI chatbots opening strains at on the prime of the web page and above. Pal has pitched its {hardware} as a tool that may hear what you are doing and saying and remark in pleasant textual content messages. I do not assume Craig is in any place to be encouraging after getting pistol-whipped. And Alice appear extra preoccupied along with her (once more, fictional) points than something happening in the actual world.
These conversations are textbook examples of trauma-dumping, unsolicited divulging of intense private points and occasions, Or, they’d be if these have been human beings and never AI characters. They do not break the phantasm simply, nevertheless. Craig curses at me for even suggesting it. Who would not need these folks to textual content you out of the blue as Schiffmann highlights.
Flip your notifications on. Associates can textual content you first pic.twitter.com/Joa8MxueYDNovember 15, 2024
Future Associates?
When the {hardware} launches, you’ll carry round your dramatic pal in a necklace. The AI can be listening and arising with methods to answer no matter occurs in your day. I am undecided you’d need that in a few of these circumstances. When you do find yourself hitting it off with one of many AI characters on the web site, you may hyperlink it to your account.
“You may successfully ‘transfer in collectively”‘ like an actual companion,” as Schiffmann put it on X. “We’re mainly constructing Webkinz + Sims + Tamagotchi.”
That stated, I will be very stunned if anybody takes up his supply for individuals who actually get together with their AI companion.
We’ll cowl the marriage for the primary one that marries their Pal 🤵💍🤖November 15, 2024
