Harvard dropout-turned-tech entrepreneur Avi Schiffmann revealed on Wednesday that he is developing a device that promises to be the latest breakthrough in AI companionship. “Friend,” a small circular pendant roughly the size of an Apple AirTag, features a constantly-running microphone that connects to the wearer’s phone, allowing them to receive encouraging messages and friendly notifications from their own personalized AI. But while Schiffmann claims that “Friend” will provide a cure for the loneliness epidemic, the device has been met with mixed reactions online, with many saying the devices will only make the problem worse.
Avi Schiffmann first caught the tech world’s attention in 2020 when, as a high school senior, he created a popular COVID information hub called ncov2019.live to track developments in the pandemic. That same year, he created additional data hubs for Black Lives Matter protests and the 2020 election, championing the use of the internet as a free source of information.
After dropping out of Harvard to pursue a career in tech entrepreneurship, Schiffmann spent $1.8 million on the domain name “friends.com,” where his new devices will be sold.
“Friend is not built to make you more productive or help you remember things,” he said in an interview after unveiling the pendants. “It is solely a conversational friend that you share experiences with.”
introducing friend. not imaginary.
order now at https://t.co/7kGiH5pQVK pic.twitter.com/qU58xNvX5v
— Avi (@AviSchiffmann) July 30, 2024
“It’s a fancy Bluetooth microphone with a shell around it, right? Keep it simple. Make it work.”
Connor Walcott is a staff writer for Valuetainment.com. Follow Connor on X and look for him on VT’s “The Unusual Suspects.”
Got a hot scoop or an idea for a story? Connect with the VT writers on Minnect!
Add comment