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HomeTech & SciencesThis Revolutionary AI Necklace Promises To Beat Loneliness Forever And It Could...

This Revolutionary AI Necklace Promises To Beat Loneliness Forever And It Could Change Your Life

A former Harvard student has launched an AI-powered necklace to combat loneliness, but at what cost to privacy?

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The genesis of a promising startup

Avi Schiffmann, a young entrepreneur who left Harvard, acquired the domain friend.com for around โ‚ฌ1.7 million, a substantial sum financed by a loan. This strategic investment marks the beginning of his new adventure: Friend, a startup that is launching into AI wearables. This acquisition was essential for Schiffmann, who wanted to offer a product that seemed authentic and accessible, far from the โ€œtryfriend.aiโ€ address considered less serious.

An innovation against loneliness

Sold for 93 euros, Friend's AI necklace continuously listens to the user's conversations thanks to its Bluetooth connection with a smartphone or tablet. By pressing a button and speaking directly to the device, the user receives responses in the form of text messages on their phone. This technological jewel is not just a simple gadget; it is presented as a tool to combat isolation and loneliness.

Successful fundraising

The startup has managed to secure โ‚ฌ2.35 million in funding from influential figures in the tech world, such as Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas and Solana founders Anatoly Yakovenko and Raj Gokal. This injection of capital demonstrates a strong belief in Friendโ€™s potential to redefine the wearables market.

How does the collar work?

The user activates the collar with a button and can then communicate with it. The collar, thanks to its advanced algorithms, can also take the initiative to send messages, thus offering a more dynamic and personal interaction experience.

Comparison with other platforms

While platforms like Replika and Character.AI already offer AI virtual friends, Schiffmann says the hardware experience of his necklace facilitates conversation more than a simple app. This tangible dimension seeks to make interactions more natural and engaging.

Privacy Questions

The device, which can record personal information such as names and addresses, raises questions about the management of user data. Friend assures that confidentiality is guaranteed by the encryption of all conversations and that no audio recordings or transcriptions are kept beyond the device's “context window”.

Available for pre-order, shipping in 2025.

The necklace is currently available for pre-order in the United States and Canada, with shipments expected in the first quarter of 2025. This timeline gives Friend time to refine its product and address potential privacy concerns.

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This article explores the potential impact of Friendโ€™s AI collar, between its promise to reduce loneliness through technology and the privacy challenges it raises. By blending technological innovation with ethical issues, Friend seeks to position itself at the frontier of human interaction and artificial intelligence.

Source: Cybernews