The Daily Dot
New Yorkers vandalize subway ads for AI "Friend," calling it dystopian
The CEO is trolling them on purpose.
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NYC Subway AI 'Friend' Campaign Sparks Vandalism and Privacy Concerns
New York City's subway system has become the unexpected battleground for a controversial AI marketing campaign, as posters for the "Friend" device are being extensively vandalized by commuters. The campaign, described as the largest in NYC subway history, promotes a wearable AI companion designed to listen, respond, and offer support. However, public reaction has been swift and critical. Images circulating online and featured in a recent report by Jack Mac of Barstool show posters defaced with messages such as "Surveillance Capitalism," "Get Real Friends," and "Stop Profiting Off of Loneliness." One particularly stark message reads, "Your friend's supposed to have flesh & blood," highlighting a deep-seated skepticism about artificial companionship. Adding to the controversy, the product's terms of service require users to waive rights to jury trials and class action lawsuits, and consent to passive recording of their surroundings (video/audio), collection of biometric data, and the use of their data for AI training. This raises significant privacy concerns among potential users and observers. Interestingly, Avi Schiffmann, the founder behind friend.com, has reportedly embraced the vandalism, sharing images of the defaced ads on social media. This approach suggests a strategy to leverage the public's strong reactions for further engagement. Despite the widespread advertising, some customers who pre-ordered the device as far back as last July have yet to receive their products, though Schiffmann stated that shipments are now underway. The ongoing public discourse underscores a broader societal debate about the role and ethics of artificial intelligence in daily life.
