Home Meet your new AI Friend, it will go everywhere with you

Meet your new AI Friend, it will go everywhere with you

TL:DR

  • Startup launches AI friend pendant, offering a less creepy companion for users.
  • Friend AI, powered by Claude 3.5, listens and engages via Bluetooth-connected iOS devices.
  • Founder sees AI Friend as a response to global loneliness, aiming to provide meaningful companionship.

Having an imaginary friend can now become a reality, as a startup launches an AI friend which is only slightly less creepy than you might think.

It sounds like something from a Black Mirror episode, especially as you have to wear your Friend around your neck. The company behind the product (which is also named ‘friend) has created an AI wearable that is in the form of a pendant necklace. One that is always listening.

The pendant is a small puck that is home to the AI chatbot that has been created to keep people company.

How does Friend AI work?

The friend sends you messages about the latest gossip, engages in conversations, and can even provide you with some motivation when you need it most. This works through connecting to an iOS device as it functions over Bluetooth and requires an internet connection.

The AI friend is powered by Anthropic AI’s Claude 3.5 large language model. It also has an onboard microphone to listen to all the juicy details.

On the company’s website, the ‘how it works’ section details three steps – all of which are relatively easy. Firstly, users are asked to speak their minds or gossip about what was overheard.

Secondly, the AI friend “will think for a moment and come up with something good to say.” Thirdly, simply check your phone as a message will be sent to your device where you can see the response from your new friend.

The friend is already available for preorders for $99.

The AI Friend aims to be a companion in a time when it’s needed most 

While many companies have been scrambling to address productivity needs, the founder of this tool Avi Schiffmann told Wired: “Productivity is over, no one cares.

“No one is going to beat Apple or OpenAI or all these companies that are building Jarvis. The most important things in your life really are people.”

While the thought of an AI friend sounds strange, a loneliness epidemic is sweeping countries worldwide, exacerbated by aging populations (particularly in countries like South Korea).

At the end of 2023, the World Health Organization declared loneliness a ‘global public health concern’ and said it was as bad for people’s health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

“I’ve never felt more lonely in my entire life,” said the 21-year-old founder, who spent $1.8 million to acquire the friend.com domain.

“And in that moment, I was looking at the Tab prototype, and I was like, it’s not that I just want to talk to this thing. I want to feel like this companion is actually there with me traveling.”

Featured Image: Via Friend

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech industry for major developments, new product launches, AI breakthroughs, video game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to staff writers or freelance contributors with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Sophie Atkinson
Tech Journalist

Sophie Atkinson is a UK-based journalist and content writer, as well as a founder of a content agency which focuses on storytelling through social media marketing. She kicked off her career with a Print Futures Award which champions young talent working in print, paper and publishing. Heading straight into a regional newsroom, after graduating with a BA (Hons) degree in Journalism, Sophie started by working for Reach PLC. Now, with five years experience in journalism and many more in content marketing, Sophie works as a freelance writer and marketer. Her areas of specialty span a wide range, including technology, business,…

Get the biggest tech headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Tech News

    Explore the latest in tech with our Tech News. We cut through the noise for concise, relevant updates, keeping you informed about the rapidly evolving tech landscape with curated content that separates signal from noise.

    In-Depth Tech Stories

    Explore tech impact in In-Depth Stories. Narrative data journalism offers comprehensive analyses, revealing stories behind data. Understand industry trends for a deeper perspective on tech's intricate relationships with society.

    Expert Reviews

    Empower decisions with Expert Reviews, merging industry expertise and insightful analysis. Delve into tech intricacies, get the best deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guide to navigating the ever-changing tech market.