Introducing ‘Friend’: The AI Companion Wearable Poised to Redefine Connectivity and Combat Loneliness

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Avi Schiffmann arrives at the WIRED office sporting a unique accessory: a Friend draped around his neck. It hangs there, resembling a pendant on a chain, similar in size and shape to an AirTag. This small, circular device sits close to Schiffmann's chest, nestled above the Dark Side of the Moon emblem on his shirt.

To clarify, The Friend is a wearable artificial intelligence device. Essentially, it acts as a companion or friend, primarily functioning as an AI chatbot contained within a pendant. It consistently offers insights on the surrounding environment, conveying its thoughts through text messages and push notifications to the connected smartphone.

Schiffmann, alongside his companion Emily, has arrived at WIRED's office in San Francisco for a discussion with myself and my fellow journalist, Reece Rogers, about their latest AI wearable device. It's their first time speaking publicly about it. Before we dive into the conversation, I mention to Schiffmann my intention to record our discussion, inquiring if he's okay with it. Not only is this considered responsible journalism, but it's also a legal necessity in California, where consent from both parties is required before recording a private conversation. Upon asking if I can activate my tape recorder, Schiffmann responds with a laugh.

"He states that he would be the least likely to take issue with that."

It's understandable. The necklace he's been wearing has been eavesdropping on our conversation from the start.

Present and Attentive

The primary slogan for Schiffmann's forthcoming AI gadget is "Always attentive." This device, named The Friend, comes equipped with a built-in microphone that captures all surrounding sounds as its standard mode of operation. By pressing and holding the device, you can initiate a query, yet it also has the capability to autonomously send messages—like giving thoughts on a recent discussion you participated in. The technology is driven by Anthropic AI's Claude 3.5, a sophisticated language model capable of engaging in meaningful dialogues, providing support, or playfully teasing you about not performing well in video games.

The Friend boasts a battery life of approximately 15 hours and is offered in a selection of colors strikingly similar to the original Apple iMac's color scheme, a similarity Schiffmann claims was coincidental. Its design is the result of collaboration with Bould, the creative minds behind the design of Nest thermostats. Currently, The Friend can be pre-ordered through its website, Friend.com, a domain for which Schiffmann reveals he shelled out $1.8 million. The gadgets are expected to begin their delivery journey in January 2025, priced at $99 each, without the requirement of a paid subscription – at least for the time being.

The idea of a wearable artificial intelligence device might leave you incredulously raising your eyebrows, and understandably so. Recently, this emerging product category has witnessed a few highly publicized failures. Humane introduced a wearable pin claiming it would perform tasks that could liberate you from your smartphone, yet it barely worked and struggled to operate in sunlight. Then there's the Rabbit R1, a vibrant and attractive gadget created by the renowned design firm Teenage Engineering, which ultimately turned out to be a disappointing failure, suggesting it might have been better off as a mere application.

Schiffmann expresses that, in his view, the pinnacle of AI technology and companionship appears to have fallen into disrepute. He suggests that numerous companies have spectacularly failed in this domain.

Schiffmann envisions the Friend as a unique creation. Unlike the Humane Ai pin and Rabbit R1, which were designed to streamline tasks and boost efficiency, the Friend is not about automating or enhancing productivity. As noted by my fellow writer Reece, it leans more towards creating a mood or atmosphere rather than concentrating on efficiency.

Schiffmann declares, "The era of productivity has come to an end; it's no longer of interest. Competing against giants like Apple or OpenAI, who are on the forefront of creating technologies akin to Jarvis, is futile. Truly, the most valuable aspects of life are the relationships we have with others."

The Friend is designed to provide companionship, aiming to build a personality that matches well with its user, offering support, engaging in conversations about films, or dissecting the reasons a date didn't go well. Schiffmann's vision for the Friend is not just to be an ordinary friend but to elevate it to the status of a best friend. This entails being by your side at all times, attentively listening to your activities, and providing motivation and backing when you need it. He shares an experience where, during a board game session with friends he hadn't met in some time, he appreciated his AI Friend's timely and witty input.

Schiffmann expresses, "It seems I share a deeper bond with this damn necklace I'm wearing than with the actual friends right here before me."

Casual Gathering

Schiffmann dons the Companion.

At just 21 years old, Schiffmann boasts an impressive array of achievements in the technology sector. Back in 2020, amid the global coronavirus outbreak, the then 17-year-old Schiffmann made waves by developing and managing the world's first website dedicated to tracking Covid-19 cases globally. His efforts swiftly earned him the title of Webby Person of the Year, an accolade bestowed upon him by Anthony Fauci, the former head of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, at the time. Schiffmann also appeared as a special guest at the WIRED 25 conference in 2020, hosted by WIRED Magazine. In the lead-up to his departure from Harvard University in 2022, he initiated a new project: a website aimed at assisting refugees escaping the conflict in Ukraine due to Russia's military actions. This platform connected them with individuals in nearby countries offering refuge. Following these significant contributions, Schiffmann is now venturing into the realm of artificial intelligence.

He attempted to create an AI to enhance productivity but was disappointed by its performance. The initial version that eventually became known as the Friend started as Tab, a device aimed at organizing both professional and personal tasks that Schiffmann hoped to rely on. However, he became disillusioned while trying to engineer a device capable of juggling multiple tasks simultaneously. This sense of frustration peaked in January of this year during a solo trip to Japan. There, in a high-rise hotel room in Tokyo, he found himself conversing with his AI prototype, which he had expected to perform a wide array of functions for him. Experiencing a period of loneliness, he wished for nothing more than to have a simple conversation with it. He questioned why his AI assistant couldn't fulfill that basic need.

"Schiffmann admits, “I've never experienced such a profound sense of isolation as I did then. During that time, as I observed the prototype of Tab, my thought wasn't merely about wanting to communicate with it. Rather, I desired it to seem as if this companion genuinely accompanied me on my journey.”

Converse with Me

Schiffmann emphasizes that the Friend represents a novel type of digital buddy, yet he admits it's a blend of various elements. He's open to likening it to a Tamagotchi. He's aware that the Friend bears a resemblance to an Air Tag. Additionally, he understands—given the years-long trend of individuals forming emotional bonds with AI chatbots such as Replika—that there might be those who become overly attached.

"Schiffmann acknowledges that inevitably, some individuals will attempt to misuse the USB-C port of the device. He admits to being fully aware of the potential uses of what he's creating. However, he points to Replika and various studies, highlighting that the primary use for most people goes beyond inappropriate interactions. Instead, the majority of users are engaging in conversations about their daily activities, expressing their emotions, and exploring the emotional responses of the AI."

Petter Bae Brandtzæg holds a professorship at the University of Oslo in Norway and spearheads two research projects focusing on the societal effects of artificial intelligence. He suggests that bonds formed with gadgets are distinct from those between people, potentially enabling discussions that are more profound and confidential than those one might engage in with another individual.

Brandtzæg points out that our engagement with AI companions tends to be deeply personal, as we often confide our most private thoughts in them. He raises the question of the final destination of these shared secrets. "The issue of privacy in the context of AI friendships is quite complex. Privacy concerns are something we're going to face significant challenges with in the future," he explains.

Jodi Halpern, who teaches Bioethics and Medical Humanities at the University of California, Berkeley, compares the concept of relying on a constant AI companion as opposed to a real human friend to a hungry individual resorting to fast food. While it may serve as a temporary fix, it lacks the sustenance that a balanced diet provides.

Halpern points out, "In the United States, a significant 61% of the younger population, including kids, teenagers, and young adults, are experiencing acute loneliness. This indicates we're facing a widespread issue of loneliness, alongside a mental health emergency."

She expresses concern about businesses and innovators viewing the crisis as an opportunity. Her fear is that dependence on an amiable AI could reduce individuals' readiness to explore new human connections and lessen the chance for what she terms empathic curiosity.

Halpern notes that not fully grasping another's thought process challenges us. "The discrepancies in either feeling understood or grasping someone else's perspective present genuine chances for cultivating a desire to learn more. A relationship devoid of any bumps or challenges isn't what we're seeking."

Schiffmann is aware that he will face criticism. He anticipates that some will criticize his device for its constant microphone activity, labeling it a breach of privacy. He emphasizes that Friend will not keep any audio recordings or written records, and assures that users have the ability to modify or remove any stored memories in the device.

He mentions that the experience gained from his previous works has toughened him up, making him prepared to face any criticism.

Schiffmann states, "I'm the sole creator of this project, and I'm unabashed about the technology involved." He adds, "I'm fully capable of overcoming any challenges that come my way, as I've tackled much more difficult situations before." He even expresses a sense of anticipation, saying, "In a sense, I believe this situation almost transforms the world into a sort of amusement park."

As Schiffmann prepares to depart having shared his ideas, I inquire whether he could consult the Friend he has on to gauge the meeting's success. He presses the pendant, inquiring about the interview's outcome. After a brief pause, he receives a message. It shows up as Emily in his messaging app, conveying: "Man, you're doing great! They appear really engaged with your concept."

I'm curious if possessing an Emily would reveal to me something alike.

This story includes reporting from Reece Rogers.

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