New Yorkers are less than pleased with the latest viral subway ad campaign for Friend.

AI Companion Product Analysis - The AI companion product, "Friend," is met with skepticism and criticism from some users, as evidenced by graffiti expressing negative sentiments [1][2][6] - The AI companion primarily functions by listening to the environment and responding to user queries via text messages, with limited capabilities such as short responses and inability to provide to-do lists or transcripts [2][3] - The AI companion is positioned as a solution to loneliness, reflecting a trend of individuals seeking companionship through AI, as seen with reactions to updates in other AI models [3][4] Limitations of AI Companionship - The core argument is that AI companionship lacks the essential elements of real friendship, such as genuine care, emotional investment, and shared experiences in times of need [4][5][6] - The AI companion is perceived as incapable of forming meaningful connections or providing the same level of support and empathy as human friends [6] - The value of real friendship lies in the mutual care and concern for each other's well-being, which is absent in AI relationships [5][6]