Part 5/12:
Texting is a familiar mode of communication, reducing the potential discomfort some might feel when interacting with a talking AI. Users can converse about their day, feelings, thoughts, or simply share their mood—while the device quietly listens and responds in kind.
Focus on Support, Not Replacement
Avi is quick to clarify that Friend isn't designed to replace human relationships. Rather, it complements them. He even speculates about a future where AI friends could be some of a person's closest companions—yet emphasizes that this is meant as an addition, not a substitution for human interaction. Previously describing it as a kind of "toy," Avi underscores his intention for the device to be fun and lighthearted, rather than a weighty substitute.