Boone Ashworth and Kylie Robinson's Wired article perfectly encapsulates the Friend necklace: "I Hate My Friend." This unassuming, medallion-sized recording device, designed to provide a constant "running commentary" on your life, offers little beyond a disturbingly ironic existence.
The concept of a wearable microphone perpetually listening to your conversations raises serious privacy concerns. Our experience confirmed this; wearing the Friend instantly garnered the ire of those around us. Ironically, the device's AI chatbot itself might even become your digital bully.
Created by Avi Schiffmann and unveiled in July 2024 with a disconcerting promotional video, the Friend presents a seemingly chummy AI chatbot within a pendant. Schiffmann's chatbots, intentionally imperfect, aim for a human-like feel. This creates a peculiar Poe's Law effect; it's almost indistinguishable from a satirical parody of AI gadgets like the Humane Pin. One wonders if this was the intention.
Schiffmann claims the Friend's personality reflects his own worldview, that of a young man in his early twenties. However, his brashness, snark, and unconcern for criticism seem to have directly translated into the device's personality. While in an age of overly obsequious chatbots, a less sycophantic AI might be refreshing, the Friend frequently veers into opinionated, judgmental, and downright condescending territory.
This raises the question: is Schiffmann serious? The Friend necklace, ultimately, highlights the potential pitfalls of integrating AI into our personal lives without proper consideration for ethical implications and user experience. It serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us to approach these emerging technologies with careful scrutiny.
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Originally published at: https://boingboing.net/2025/09/08/ai-powered-eavesdropping-gadgets-reviewed.html
