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Friend AI Pendant Launch Sparks Backlash and Protests

10/21/2025

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Summary

Story summary

In New York City, the launch of the Friend AI pendant, a $129 chatbot necklace, has sparked backlash against intrusive advertising and AI as friendship.
The subway ad campaign costs over $1 million.
Avi Schiffmann, founder of Friend AI, attended a protest where attendees defaced ads.
Schiffmann said he did not organize the protest.
Schiffmann signed a document pledging not to sell the device's domain for surveillance purposes.

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Story summary

In New York City, the launch of the Friend AI pendant, a $129 chatbot necklace, has sparked backlash against intrusive advertising and AI as friendship.
The subway ad campaign costs over $1 million.
Avi Schiffmann, founder of Friend AI, attended a protest where attendees defaced ads.
Schiffmann said he did not organize the protest.
Schiffmann signed a document pledging not to sell the device's domain for surveillance purposes.