In this episode of Computer AF, Anne Ahola Ward and John Boitnott discussed the most important topic of the week: House of the Dragon (HotD). They also delved into AI. The transformative power of AI was at the forefront of the conversation, which touched on a range of topics from AI companions and friend.com to Microsoft and OpenAI’s developing situation.
The AI Companion: Friend or Foe?
The discussion began with a curious new product on the market in friend.com, an AI companion that users wear around their necks. Available for pre-order at $99, this device claims to offer real-time commentary on your surroundings, texting you insights, and perhaps even advertisements. The concept is simple yet profound: a digital friend who is always with you, ready to engage at any moment.
However, the real question is whether it will be successful. The idea of being bombarded with constant, perhaps intrusive, notifications seemed more likely to increase cognitive load rather than alleviate it. It is similar to previous attempts at wearable technology, such as fitness trackers and sleep monitoring rings. While those devices found their niche, none have managed to supplant the smartphone in terms of usability and convenience.
Moreover, considering the company spent most of its first round of funding on its domain name, it paints a bleak picture for the future of the company.
Then, there are the broader implications of such AI-driven devices. Younger generations, particularly Gen Z, value authenticity, a quality that might be hard to reconcile with a device that constantly texts you, possibly with ads. So, while the concept of AI companionship is intriguing and undoubtedly a growing market, friend.com might not be the product that cracks the code.
AI in Business: Disruption or Distraction?
The realm of AI in business also popped up, with a focus on recent moves by Microsoft. The tech giant has positioned itself as a competitor to OpenAI despite being one of its largest investors with a $13 billion stake. That being said, it might be a strategic move driven by antitrust concerns and an effort to distract from recent high-profile failures, such as a botched CrowdStrike software patch that caused widespread disruptions.
After all, the disruptions were significant and had major real-world consequences. People were stranded due to the outage, and companies like Delta have seen massive fallout due to the failure.
One piece of irony to mention is that while these companies battle for dominance in AI, they often do so using data freely obtained from platforms like Reddit and new publications, and they do so without compensating the original content creators.
Perplexity, a major player in the AI space discussed in the previous episode, is attempting to rectify this by sharing revenue with major publications like The Wall Street Journal. This move could signal a shift in how AI companies operate, potentially reinvigorating struggling industries like journalism by offering new revenue streams.
Cultural Moments in a Tech-Driven World
Beyond the technological world and AI, the pair touched on cultural moments that resonated with them, such as Celine Dion’s triumphant return to the stage after battling a debilitating illness. Dion, who had been suffering from stiff-person syndrome — a rare and severe neurological disorder — delivered a powerful performance in French, reminding the world of her enduring talent.
There was also a brief foray into the Olympics, particularly focusing on the U.S. Women’s Gymnastics team, whose uniforms were adorned with over 50,000 Swarovski crystals — the most expensive in Olympic history.
The Future of AI: Promise or Peril?
The episode wrapped up with a reflection on the future of AI. Advancements in AI could lead to a resurgence in journalism, providing new tools and revenue models that could help the industry thrive in the digital age. However, for AI to truly benefit society, it must do more than just add complexity — it needs to simplify and enhance human experiences.
While the future of AI holds immense promise, it also comes with significant challenges. Whether AI will ultimately serve as a friend or a foe in our lives remains to be seen, but one thing is certain — it will continue to be a topic of discussion, debate, and innovation for years to come.
