The closure highlights the risks associated with cloud-dependent devices and the broader challenges within the AI industry, where the sustainability of costly AI models is often overlooked. The emotional response from Moxie owners underscores the potential pitfalls of developing close relationships with AI, especially for vulnerable groups like neuroatypical children. The situation raises concerns about the reliance on AI for socialization and the broader implications of the AI bubble, as companies struggle to balance innovation with financial viability.
Key takeaways:
- Embodied, the company behind the AI-powered social robot Moxie, is shutting down due to financial difficulties and a sudden withdrawal of funding, leading to the robot's imminent non-functionality.
- Moxie, designed for autistic children, relied on cloud-based large language models to operate, highlighting the vulnerability of such devices to the financial health of their supporting companies.
- The closure has left customers without refunds or support, and parents are struggling to explain the situation to their children, with emotional responses seen on social media.
- The situation raises concerns about the sustainability of AI devices and the appropriateness of using AI for socializing children, especially those with special needs.