NYC Subway Ads for Friend AI Pendant Spark Public Backlash and Protests
By
Hayden Field
Slow-proofed and worth the wait. Worth its weight in flour.
Summary
The article discusses the controversial subway advertising campaign for the Friend AI pendant, a $129 chatbot-enabled necklace that launched in NYC. The campaign, which cost over $1 million, has generated significant public backlash, including creative graffiti on the ads and a protest where people tore apart a cut-out of the device while chanting 'get real friends.' The piece examines the public reaction to this aggressive marketing of AI-powered wearable technology.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledIf you live in NYC, there's almost no way you've missed the Friend AI pendant subway ad fallout
the $129 chatbot-enabling necklaces only began shipping this summer
the accompanying subway ad campaign — which set the company back more than $1 million
People tore apart a cut-out of the device while chanting 'get real friends'
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