Real life Silicon Valley vs Black Mirror crossover playing out over AI ‘Friend’

Two AI projects named FRIEND, each led by different developers, are at the center of a ‘Twitter Beef’ over their distinct approaches to AI technology.

Nic Shevchenko and Avi Schiffmann are behind the two distinct AI projects, sparking debate over privacy, open-source versus commercial development, and the ethical implications of AI companions. Shevchenko’s FRIEND is an open-source AI wearable that records conversations and offers summaries and advice. In contrast, Schiffmann’s Friend.com provides a commercial AI companion featuring a conversational AI designed for emotional support and companionship.

Shevchenko sarcastically congratulated Schiffmann on the launch of Friend.com with a ‘rap diss track‘ in the vein of Kendrick Lamar vs Drake, like something out of the TV show Silicon Valley. He also offered to fight Schiffmann, posting a picture of him flexing with his FRIEND around his neck. Shevchenko claimed that Schiffmann “jacked his style” and he “spent a mill on a name, can’t ship a thing” after he reportedly spent $1.8 million of the $2.5 million he raised on the domain friend.com. The FRIEND device launched first through its company, Based Hardware, while Schiffmann reportedly registered the friend.com domain name earlier. Schiffmann’s initial project name was Tab, which was later rebranded as Friend.

Shevchenko’s FRIEND emphasizes transparency and community involvement. It is an open-source customizable device that users can build and modify. It is powered by the nRF52840 chip and boasts a battery life exceeding 24 hours. The project has engaged the community through Kickstarter and design contests, reflecting Shevchenko’s philosophy of accessible and transparent technology development. FRIEND is available in a ‘dev kit’ for £39 on the project’s website, which comes in the form of a 3D printed device that interfaces with a mobile app available on iOS and Android.

On the other hand, Schiffmann’s Friend.com is a consumer-oriented product priced at $99. It features a small, pendant-like device with a 15-hour battery life connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth. The AI, driven by models like ChatGPT, listens to conversations and offers personalized responses, aiming to provide companionship rather than just productivity enhancements. The launch video shows multiple users interacting with the device while eating, watching TV, and even on a date. One scene shows a user commenting on how she takes ‘her’ everywhere about the friend.com pendant. Schiffmann’s project has garnered significant funding and attention, highlighted by the purchase of the domain friend.com for $1.8 million, indicating a solid push toward broad consumer adoption.

A significant PR push on July 31 for friend.com has seen coverage in multiple news outlets for the companion device, with many commenting on its launch video’s similarity to a Black Mirror episode. In contrast, Shevchenko’s device acts more like a ‘second brain,’ listening to conversations and providing summaries that are searchable and accessible through the supporting in-app chatbot. It allows users to take notes in meetings without breaking focus or quickly recall the names of new acquaintances without embarrassment.

The broader X (formerly Twitter) discourse surrounding these projects reveals divergent views. Privacy is a central concern, with users questioning the implications of devices that continuously listen to conversations. Particular scrutiny is given to how these projects manage user data, especially given the personal nature of the interactions they facilitate. Some argue that while Shevchenko’s open-source approach offers more transparency, it does not entirely mitigate privacy concerns. However, the dev kits allow users to update API endpoints in-app to their own endpoints. Others express skepticism about Schiffmann’s commercial model, fearing a potential over-reliance on AI companions that could alter human relationships.

The debate extends to the nature of human interaction, with concerns about AI’s impact on social dynamics. Critics worry about the effects of using AI for companionship, suggesting it could lead to a diminished need for human connection. Conversely, some supporters value AI’s ability to provide emotional support, particularly for individuals lacking social interaction.

Shevchenko’s initiative stands out for its open-source ethos, inviting community engagement and fostering innovation through transparency. Schiffmann’s project, however, represents a more traditional commercial approach, aiming for a polished user experience and broader market reach. The contrasting strategies highlight a fundamental divide in the tech community: the balance between openness and proprietary control and the ethical considerations of developing AI companions.

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