Many people considered their company to be the next big thing from Silicon Valley: long-time Apple employees Imran Chaudhri and Bethany Bongiorno founded a start-up called “Humane”. Its aim was nothing less than to do away with the smartphone. They wanted to replace the daily companion of billions of people with a cyber brooch with artificial intelligence (AI).
The problem: The long-announced Humane-Product turned out to be a huge flop!
The so-called “AI Pin” (starting at $699) for attaching to clothing was introduced last November. After delivery, it was showered with devastating reviews from testers – among other things because of the extremely long loading times. One of the world's biggest technology YouTubers spoke of the worst product he had ever tested. The hype: burst!
► Meanwhile, the “Humane” creators are said to be planning to sell their company. This is reported by the renowned business magazine “Bloomberg” citing persons familiar with the matter.
Humane’s AI pin flopped after its recent market launch
The company is said to have already started looking for a buyer. The price is said to be between 750 million and one billion dollars.
Apple also plans AI innovations
Has the competition caught up too quickly? The fact is: According to media reports, Apple is facing major changesAt the developer conference on June 10, the tech giant plans to announce numerous new AI features for its operating system.
If this were to happen, artificial intelligence would suddenly be on every iPhone available. Possibly even based on the famous AI model ChatGPT. Who would buy an extra cyber brooch?
The two Humane founders met at Apple and are now married. Chaudhri was under contract with the technology giant for 21 years – an eternity in Silicon Valley. Bongiorno also worked there for a long eight years.
HE was responsible for numerous Apple-Patent responsible, developed among other things the iPhone home screen and the iconic unlocking function of the first iPhones “Slide to unlock”.
This is also why expectations for “Humane” were high for a long time. But the “AI Pin” did not live up to them.