An advertising campaign for the ‘Friend’ artificial intelligence device is seen inside the West 4th Street subway station in West Village, Manhattan, Sept. 29, 2025. The ads have been defaced with several messages rejecting the use of artificial intelligence. The one above says: ‘Human connection is sacred,’ and ‘friend’ is crossed out on the ad.
A controversial ad campaign posted in the New York City subway system has sparked criticism and vandalism over the past few weeks. The print ads are selling a device that first launched in 2024.
