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Hyped AI Pin Startup Humane Lays Off Some Staff Amid Reorganization

Jan 10, 2024 - gizmodo.com
Humane, a startup that recently launched its "AI Pin", has laid off four percent of its staff, affecting 10 people, according to a report from The Verge. The layoffs are part of a restructuring effort to transition the company from a stealth AI startup to a more customer-facing firm, requiring new skills and perspectives, according to CEO Bethany Bongiorno. Despite this, a source told The Verge that the layoffs were part of a cost-cutting effort and that company budgets would be lower this year.

The company's AI Pin, a screen-less wearable device with GPT-4 LLM integration, is designed to help users move past smartphone addiction and reconnect with the physical world. Despite the product's launch in November, Humane has largely avoided media attention, with the exception of a poorly received appearance on MSNBC's Squawk Box.

Key takeaways:

  • Humane, a startup that recently launched its "AI Pin," has laid off four percent of its staff, affecting 10 people, as part of a company restructuring.
  • The company's CEO, Bethany Bongiorno, stated that the restructuring is aimed at transitioning the company from a stealth AI startup to a more customer-facing firm, requiring new skills and perspectives.
  • Despite the company's framing of the layoffs as a repositioning, a source revealed that the layoffs were part of a cost-cutting effort and that company budgets would be lower this year.
  • Humane's AI pin, a screen-less device with GPT-4 LLM integration, is designed to function as both a communication device and a portal to the internet, aiming to help users move past smartphone addiction.
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