Story perspectives
AI Wearable Sparks NYC Backlash Over Human Connection
10/7/2025
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Story summary
- Friend, founded by Avi Schiffmann, sells a $129 wearable AI and faces NYC backlash.
- The company spent $1 million on an ad campaign featuring over 10,000 posters, heavily vandalized and criticized.
- Critics say the ads promote AI over human connection, undermining relationships.
- Schiffmann frames backlash as marketing; he previously built a popular COVID-19 tracking website.
