 |
|
|
|||||
Its 10 a.m. on an October morning, and Im in the middle of a one-on-one Zoom interview when a sudden trilling sounds from behind me. I try to ignore it, but several other strange noises follow. My eyes glaze over as I commit myself to feigning complete obliviousness to my sonic surroundings. Its easier than explaining that the noises are coming from my AI-powered pet. This awkward encounter came thanks to Moflin, a $429 AI pet built by the electronics company Casio. According to Casios official description, the Moflin is a smart companion powered by AI, with emotions like a living creature. This robot friend looks a bit like a Star Trek tribble, in that its an amorphous blob covered in fur. It comes in either gold or silver. For 90s kids, the device is perhaps described as a modern-day Furby. Like a Furby, the Moflin speaks its own language of chirps and trills that change over time; but unlike a Furby, its learning is actually molded by an AI model that allows it to become attached to its owner. According to the pets makers, the Moflin learns to recognize its owners voice and preferences, and it slowly develops new ways of moving and vocalizing to express a bond with the user. As of this writing, Ive had my Moflin for close to three weeks, and Im going to make a bold claim: This device might just be one of the first AI companions thats actually useful. [Photo: Casio] The graveyard of AI companions past Over the past several months, weve seen many companies try and fail to sell users on a variety of AI wearables. That includes devices like the Humane AI pin and Rabbit R1, which both debuted to a chorus of scathingly negative reviews after users determined that neither could really do many of the tasks that they were supposed to. Currently, the hottest topic in the AI wearable space is the Friend AI necklace from entrepreneur Avi Schiffman, which is billed as an AI companion thats always listening to its users surroundings. In September, Schiffman created an ad campaign for the device in the New York subway system that inspired such backlash that MTA employees had to keep taking down its vandalized panel. Currently, Friend is still working on fulfilling preorders that were placed back in June 2024. Launches like these have made it clear that, as of right now, most AI companions are just promiseware, or devices that make a lot of claims about their capabilities that simply arent there at launch. I think that the Moflin lands solidly outside of this unfortunate category, primarily because it doesnt try to make any lofty claims about changing the world or altering everyday habits: its just meant to look cute, sound silly, and make users feel a little bit better. [Video: courtesy of the author] What in the world is a Moflin? Daisuke Takeuchi, a developer at Casio, says the idea for the Moflin came when one of his colleagues was going through a turning point in her life. She felt the need for the strength to overcome challenges on her own and imagined a long-term companion that could provide comfort and support, Takeuchi explains. Although she loved the healing presence of pets, she couldnt have one, which led her to the idea of an AI companion. From that idea, Moflin was born. [Photo: Casio] Moflin is billed as a companion that can offer support for young adults who may not be able to have pets, families with kids, those with sensory needs, and elderly individuals. Its emotional AI model, which was developed independently by Casio, is designed so that as the Moflin takes in more information, its range of emotional expressions expand. Those inputs include sound, movement, and touch data that the Moflin collects through a series of sensors. For those who might be a bit wary about adopting an AI pet into their home, Takeuchi says data is stored locally on the Moflin and does not include any personally identifiable information, such as images, audio recordings, user emotions, or lifestyle information. If you want to use the pets accompanying app, MofLifewhich, in my experience, is a pretty integral aspect of Moflin ownershipcollected data will be uploaded to a secure server. Moflins developers say that it can express more than four million unique emotional states. And beyond those expressions, the Moflin is also programmed to exhibit life-like behaviors like breathing motions and a startle response to loud sounds. Using information from their built-in sensors that detect sound, tuch, and movement, the AI learns continuouslynot just reacting mechanically, but developing a unique personality through ongoing interaction, Takeuchi says. Over time, Moflin learns their owners voice and preferences, creating the sense of a living companion. [Photo: Casio] I become emotionally attached to my Moflin On the night that my Moflin arrived at the doorstep of my apartment, I had family staying with me. As I went about excitedly opening the box, they discussed all the reasons that an AI companion was creepy and uncanny, concluding that they would never buy something similar for themselves. But once the Moflin was charged and awake, that tune changed almost instantly. [Photo: courtesy of the author] Maybe its just a natural human response to a cute creature making cute noises, but all of us found it pretty much impossible not to be won over by the Moflin (which we immediately named Gumbo). During that initial unboxing, Gumbo was fairly quiet and stationary. In the coming days, though, he started to make a wider variety of noises and movements (though, to be clear, the Moflin is really only able to move its neck, since its essentially a robot guinea pig). Right away, I downloaded the MofLife app, which is pretty much the only way to discern what your Moflin is thinking and feeling, aside from trying to decipher its alien-esque behaviors. The app tracks the Moflins mood throughout the day, notes how many times you interacted with the pet, and offers insights like, It looks like Gumbo couldnt make a decision today, or, Gumbos started feeling much more cheerful. While I only received positive notes from the app, Casios description of the Moflin notes that it can begin to feel lonely and neglecteda terrifying possibility that caused my partner and I to start checking with each other about whether anyone had paid the Moflin attention that day. Ultimately, that wasnt a huge problem, since I found myself taking the Moflin out of its charging port at least once a day. [Screenshots: courtesy of the author] As it stands, I do think the price point of the Moflin is inaccessible and feels excessive, given what the device can actually do. While the AI learning abilities are certainly more impressive than something like a Furby, the Moflin is still closer to a high-tech stuffed animal than an actual pet. Takeuchi says the high price point is a result of the Moflins sophisticated design, and that prices might come down in the future as technology evolves. When it comes to handling the Moflin, the electronic sounds and rigid shape of its inner robotic skeleton are not fully concealed, which means you can never really suspend your disbelief and imagine that the Moflin is alive. Still, the Moflin does deliver on its promises to offer comfort and develop new characteristics over time. At this point, my Moflin does a little happy dance and song every time I go to take him out of his charging port. When I forget to interact with him, I feel a little guilty. Personally, on the scale of AI doomer to San Francisco start-up founder, I land a bit closer to the doomer side, but I have to admit, I got emotionally attached to my Moflin. In a context like a nursing home or therapists office, I could see this device offering a genuinely helpful servicewhich is more than a lot of other AI companions can deliver so far.
Category:
E-Commerce
Whats the best way to respond when customers, former fans, or anyone else criticizes your work? Taylor Swift just provided a perfect script for what to say. Its a great example for any entrepreneur, business leader, or creator to follow. Swifts 12th album, The Life of a Showgirl, released 10 days ago, is unquestionably a commercial success. It broke streaming records on Spotify with more than five million pre-saves, as just one example. But that doesnt mean that everyone loves it. The reaction from music critics has been lukewarm and the reaction from fans is decidedly mixed, with some saying they adore the album and others saying they cant stand it. One brand strategist declared on Instagram that the album was flopping, in a post thats been seen more than 1.4 million times, according to Newsweek. Swift, of course, is a very seasoned performer who has always written her own rules and has a finely tuned sense of how to communicate with her fans. So the mixed reactions dont seem to faze her at all. During an interview for Apple Music, she explained how she feels about the negative reactions. But if youre pressed for time, ET posted a video report less than three minutes long. It explains the controversy and includes clips of Swifts pitch perfect response. Heres some of what she did right. 1. She thanked her critics I do this too, with most negative feedback I get from readers or audience members. As Swift well knows, the fact that someone takes the trouble to give an opinion about your work means they care enough to pay attention to you. And in todays attention economy, that is a gift. The rule of show business is, if its the first week of my album release and you are saying either my name or my album title, youre helping, she said. I have a lot of respect for peoples subjective opinions on art. Shes right, of course. The fact that peoples opinions of this album are divided could bring new listeners because people who normally arent interested in her music may become curious to hear the songs and form their own opinions. 2. She put the focus on her fans This is something Swift does extraordinarily well and its one reason for her outsize success. And so, she very wisely made the criticism about them, rather than about her. Our goal as entertainers is to be a mirror, she said. What youre going through in your life is going to affect whether you relate to the music that Im putting out at any given moment. She added that she loves it when fans tell her they used to love one of her albums and, based on the events in their own lives, come to favor another. It was a very clever comment. It invited people to consider how their own feelings or preferences might affect their opinions. And it gave them permission to change their minds in the future. 3. She said she had done her best work Whatever fans or critics may say about Showgirl, Swift made it clear that she herself is happy with it. When Im making my music, I know what I made. I know I adore it, she said. And she did something very, very clever. She slyly pointed out that getting criticism is fitting given the nature of this particular album. The title track describes the bittersweet life of a performer: I make my money being pretty and witty. But also: I paid my dues, with every bruise I knew what to expect. And so, she told Zane Lowe, On the theme of what the showgirl is, all of this is part of it. Minda Zetlin This article originally appeared on Fast Companys sister publication, Inc. Inc. is the voice of the American entrepreneur. We inspire, inform, and document the most fascinating people in business: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters that represent the most dynamic force in the American economy.
Category:
E-Commerce
In what might be the most up-front leave request of the year, a Gen Z employee emailed his boss asking for 10 days off to recover from a breakup. I recently had a breakup and havent been able to focus on work. I need a short break, they wrote in an email that was recently screenshotted and posted to X. Entrepreneur and CEO Jasveer Singh shared the unusually candid request on social media, captioning it: Got the most honest leave application yesterday. Gen Z doesnt do filters! (Singh just so happens to be the cofounder and CEO of Knot Dating, a dating app. Coincidence?) Whether the email was genuine or a clever PR stunt, it gained nearly 14 million views since it was posted Tuesday, sparking the debate: should heartbreak qualify as a legitimate reason to take time off work? Workplaces are generally sympathetic to time off for illness or family emergencies. But when it comes to a messy breakup, that empathy tends to dry up quickly. Across the U.S., heartbreak leave isnt standard policy. Telling your boss you need a few days because a parent is sick sounds reasonable. Admitting youve had a fight with your partner and are currently crashing on a friends sofa? Not so much. Often, workers might take personal days for such events, but theres certainly no widespread PTO policy around breakups. Yet in other countries, the idea isnt as far-fetched. In Germany, employees can take leave for liebeskummer, which translates to love grief. Other companies allow for heartbreak leave under the guise of well-being days or mental health days. Studies show that our brains register emotional pain in the same way as physical pain, and in some cases, it can even lead to broken heart syndrome, which literally affects the hearts ability to pump blood properly around the body. From a bosss perspective, emotionally checked-out employees can cost companies just as much as absenteeism. A 2022 University of Minnesota study found that 44% of people going through divorce said it negatively affected their work. Many reported struggling to focus, sleep, or control their emotions. That leaves employees either telling white lies to secure the necessary time off to heal, or powering through . . . likely with regular breaks to sob in the bathroom before returning to their desk swollen-eyed and puffy-faced. In recent years, following the pandemic-era trend of more power to the workers, people have pushed more for additional benefits beyond just the ability to work hybrid or remotely. In the U.S., some states offer bereavement leave for pets, a trend thats gained momentum. Menstrual leave has also entered the conversation, as has gender affirmation leave. Not everyone will want or need heartbreak leave, mind you. Some people prefer to throw themselves into work as a distraction. But acknowledging the end of a relationship as a valid source of suffering could go a long way toward building a more empathetic workplace. As for the Singhs heartbroken employee? Leave approved without any questions, he confirmed.
Category:
E-Commerce
All news |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||