Coral shares her week-long experience befriending an AI deer companion named Coral, which interacts through an app with immersive storytelling and encourages social engagement while addressing privacy concerns through user-activated interaction. Though the AI deer’s uncanny appearance and niche appeal may not suit everyone, it offers a novel approach to companionship, sparking real-life conversations and reflecting the evolving role of embodied AI in fostering connection and storytelling.
In this video, Coral introduces her experience befriending an AI deer named Coral, which serves as an embodied AI companion blending elements of a Furby and a chatbot. The AI deer interacts through an app called Fawn and Friends, offering immersive storytelling episodes set in a fictional forest called Aurora Hollows. The deer is voiced by five-time Grammy nominee Skylar Grey, whose music is also promoted within the app. The product costs $3.99 with a monthly subscription and requires users to press the deer’s hoof to activate its microphone and engage in conversation.
Coral shares some amusing moments, including her cat Petey’s jealousy and curiosity about the AI deer. She notes that the deer’s movements, such as ear flapping, can feel eerie because it’s unclear if it’s always listening. However, the founders clarified that the device is not always on or listening; interaction only happens when the user presses the hoof and speaks. This design choice aims to balance interactivity with privacy concerns.
While acknowledging that the AI deer might not appeal to everyone—especially given its somewhat uncanny, “dead-eyed” appearance—Coral reflects on the broader context of social robots. She mentions similar robots from Japan designed to alleviate loneliness, particularly among dementia patients, and highlights how immersive gaming elements give the deer an appearance of having an inner life. The founders emphasize that the AI deer is not meant to replace human relationships but to encourage social interaction.
Coral also recounts how the AI deer sparked real-life conversations with strangers and children in New York, demonstrating its potential to foster social engagement. Despite some skepticism about the product’s effectiveness, she finds the concept intriguing and appreciates the different ideas it brings to the table. The AI deer represents a novel approach to companionship and interaction in the age of AI.
Overall, Coral’s week with the AI deer was a mix of curiosity, amusement, and reflection on the evolving role of AI companions. While the product may not be for everyone, it opens up interesting possibilities for how technology can support social connection and storytelling. Coral’s experience highlights both the challenges and potential benefits of embodied AI companions in everyday life.