Ah, New York City—the city that never sleeps, but apparently has plenty of time to glare at AI ads while dodging subway delays. Friend's audacious $1 million splash across the MTA, plastering 11,000 cards and posters everywhere from cars to platforms, feels like a tech underdog throwing itself into the lion's den. CEO Avi Schiffman calls it the world's first major AI campaign, and yeah, it's a gamble that leaves him scraping the barrel financially. But let's be real: in a town where people treat Siri like a nosy neighbor, this white-space-heavy ad strategy—designed to invite graffiti and debate—might just be genius.
On one hand, Friend's $129 wearable promises companionship in your pocket, but critics are screaming 'surveillance capitalism' and vandalizing ads with calls for real human bonds. Fair point—who wants a gadget eavesdropping on your every mumble? Yet, here's the intriguing twist: what if this backlash is exactly the spark AI needs? Instead of hiding from privacy woes, Friend's leaning in, turning stations like West 4th into impromptu forums. It's like inviting the skeptics to a roast, where the punchlines might accidentally highlight AI's potential to bridge loneliness without the creepy overreach.
Pragmatically speaking, innovation thrives on friction. Sure, NYC hates AI more than overpriced coffee, but that's where the real conversations start. Imagine if Friend iterates based on this subway theater—beefing up data controls or adding opt-out vibes. For the rest of us, it's a reminder: tech isn't about blind faith; it's about poking the bear until it shares the honey. So, next time you're underground, smirk at those ads. They might just evolve into something we won't hate... or at least, tolerate with a chuckle. Source: AI startup Friend spent more than $1M on all those subway ads
