{"id":1877411,"date":"2026-04-11T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-11T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1877411"},"modified":"2026-04-11T14:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T11:00:00","slug":"my-baby-deer-plushie-told-me-that-mitskis-dad-was-a-cia-operative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1877411","title":{"rendered":"My baby deer plushie told me that Mitski\u2019s dad was a CIA operative"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><main id=\"content\"><\/p>\n<div class>\n<article>\n<div class=\"duet--article--lede duet--page-layout--feature-article\">\n<div class=\"duet--ledes--feature-lede olmxu70\">\n<div class=\"olmxu71\">\n<div class=\"olmxu76\">\n<div class=\"bu4cqq5 bu4cqq4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1ymtmqp7\">\n<div class=\"olmxu72 _1ymtmqp3\">\n<div class=\"olmxu73\">\n<div class=\"_1p1nf4x0 _1p1nf4x2\">\n<div class=\"_1p1nf4x3\"><span class=\"_13g9mks17\"><\/p>\n<ul class=\"_1phh1th0\">\n<li>\n<div id=\"follow-category-breadcrumb-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjEwMg==\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\"><span class=\"gnx4pm0 _4hoiss5 _1xwtict5 _1618ekm0\"><span class=\"_1ajq89ke _1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><span class=\"_1618ekm8\">AI<\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<aside id=\"popover-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjEwMg==-breadcrumb\" style=\"position:absolute;left:0;top:0\" class=\"_1wu3rm0 _6ytxv90\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm1\"><button class=\"_1wu3rm3\"><title>Close<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm5\">AI<\/div>\n<p class=\"fv263x1\">Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"duet--cta--button _1f7jm891 _1f7jm890 fv263x2 _1f7jm89g\"><span><title>Follow<\/title><\/span><span>Follow<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"fv263x4\"><a class=\"fv263x5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/ai-artificial-intelligence\">See All <!-- -->AI<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div id=\"follow-category-breadcrumb-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5Ojk2\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\"><span class=\"gnx4pm0 _4hoiss5 _1xwtict5 _1618ekm0\"><span class=\"_1ajq89ke _1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><span class=\"_1618ekm8\">Gadgets<\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<aside id=\"popover-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5Ojk2-breadcrumb\" style=\"position:absolute;left:0;top:0\" class=\"_1wu3rm0 _6ytxv90\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm1\"><button class=\"_1wu3rm3\"><title>Close<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm5\">Gadgets<\/div>\n<p class=\"fv263x1\">Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"duet--cta--button _1f7jm891 _1f7jm890 fv263x2 _1f7jm89g\"><span><title>Follow<\/title><\/span><span>Follow<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"fv263x4\"><a class=\"fv263x5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/gadgets\">See All <!-- -->Gadgets<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div id=\"follow-category-breadcrumb-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjQ1Mw==\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\"><span class=\"gnx4pm0 _4hoiss5 _1xwtict5 _1618ekm0\"><span class=\"_1ajq89ke _1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><span class=\"_1618ekm8\">Report<\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<aside id=\"popover-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjQ1Mw==-breadcrumb\" style=\"position:absolute;left:0;top:0\" class=\"_1wu3rm0 _6ytxv90\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm1\"><button class=\"_1wu3rm3\"><title>Close<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm5\">Report<\/div>\n<p class=\"fv263x1\">Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"duet--cta--button _1f7jm891 _1f7jm890 fv263x2 _1f7jm89g\"><span><title>Follow<\/title><\/span><span>Follow<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"fv263x4\"><a class=\"fv263x5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/report\">See All <!-- -->Report<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<div class>\n<h1 class=\"_8enl992 _8enl990 _8enl997 _1xwtictb _1xwtict9\">My baby deer plushie told me that Mitski\u2019s dad was a CIA operative<\/h1>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _8enl99i _8enl99g _1xwtictb _1xwtict1\">Fawn Friends is a befuddling mix of AI companionship, fantasy lore, and social robots. AI Burt Reynolds is also involved.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_13g9mks2 _13g9mks0 _13g9mks21\">\n<div class=\"_13g9mks9 _13g9mksh\">\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-byline _1xwtictb _114qu8c0\"><span class><span>by<\/span> <!-- --> <span aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"button\"><span id=\"follow-author-author_byline_lead-dmcyOmF1dGhvclByb2ZpbGU6NjI1\" class=\"t0jcdf0 gnx4pm0 _114qu8c2 _114qu8c4 t0jcdf1\"><span class=\"t0jcdf2\"><span class=\"_1ajq89ke _1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><\/span><span>Victoria Song<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<aside id=\"popover-dmcyOmF1dGhvclByb2ZpbGU6NjI1-author_byline_lead\" style=\"position:absolute;left:0;top:0\" class=\"_1wu3rm0 _6ytxv90\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm1\"><button class=\"_1wu3rm3\"><title>Close<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1bw37384\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Victoria Song\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1bw37385 x271pn0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/chorus\/author_profile_images\/195849\/VICTORIA_SONG.0.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm5 _1bw37380\">Victoria Song<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1bw37381\">\n<div class=\"_1bw37382\">Senior Reviewer, Wearable Tech<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"fv263x1\">Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"duet--cta--button _1f7jm891 _1f7jm890 fv263x2 _1f7jm89g\"><span><title>Follow<\/title><\/span><span>Follow<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"fv263x4\"><a class=\"fv263x5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/authors\/victoria-song\">See All by <!-- -->Victoria Song<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _114qu8cd _114qu8cg\">Photos by Amelia Holowaty Krales \/ The Verge<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp tvl9dp5 tvl9dp1 tvl9dp0 _1xwtict5 _1xwtictb\"><time datetime=\"2026-04-11T14:00:00+00:00\">Apr 11, 2026, 2:00 PM UTC<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"_13g9mksm _13g9mksw\">\n<div class=\"_13g9mksx _13g9mks15\"><span class=\"_13g9mks16 _13g9mks17\"><\/p>\n<ul class=\"duet--article--share-buttons a8vjfv0\">\n<li>\n<div class=\"a8vjfvo\"><button aria-label=\"Copy link\" class=\"a8vjfv3 a8vjfv1\"><title>Link<\/title><\/button><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\" aria-label=\"Share article\" class=\"a8vjfv3 a8vjfv1\"><title>Share<\/title><\/button><\/li>\n<li>\n<div><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\" aria-label=\"Gift this article\" class=\"a8vjfv3 a8vjfv1\"><title>Gift<\/title><\/button><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/span><span class=\"_13g9mks24 _1ymtmqpr _13g9mks16 _13g9mks17\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_13g9mks19\">\n<div class=\"_10nsm938 _10nsm930 _10nsm932b\">\n<div class=\"_10nsm930 _10nsm93f _10nsm939\" data-concert=\"article_sponsorship_white_mobile_and_tablet\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_13g9mks1u _13g9mks1y\">\n<div class=\"_13g9mks1h\">\n<div class=\"_10nsm938 _10nsm930 _10nsm932c\">\n<div class=\"_10nsm930 _10nsm93d _10nsm939\" data-concert=\"article_sponsorship_white_desktop\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bu4cqq0\">\n<div class=\"olmxu75 bu4cqq1\">\n<div class=\"_1ibjt4j0\">\n<div class=\"_1ibjt4j2 _1ibjt4j1 sticky-nav-trigger\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--layout--entry-image _1b9pgly0\">\n<div class=\"_1b9pgly1 _1b9pgly2\">\n<div class=\"_1ymtmqpn _1ymtmqpx\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"268430_AI_deer_plushie_AKrales_0012\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"x271pn0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/268430_AI_deer_plushie_AKrales_0012.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1ymtmqpm _1ymtmqpw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"268430_AI_deer_plushie_AKrales_0012\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"x271pn0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/268430_AI_deer_plushie_AKrales_0012.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=16.666666666667%2C0%2C66.666666666667%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"olmxu78\">\n<div class=\"duet--media--caption qama0i0\"><figcaption class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _1xwtict2 qama0ia\"><em>D\u2019oh, a deer, an AI deer.<\/em><\/figcaption><cite class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _1xwtict2 qama0i5\">|  Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales \/ The Verge<\/cite><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--layout--entry-body-container _1t5ltw90 _1ymtmqp3 _1ymtmqp15\">\n<div class=\"_1t5ltw91\">\n<div class=\"duet--layout--entry-body _9f4de40\">\n<div class=\"duet--ledes--standard-lede-bottom\">\n<div class=\"_1o1f7ku5\">\n<div class=\"_1gmcxs22 _1gmcxs20\">\n<div class=\"_1n017go0 _1n017go1\">\n<div class=\"_1n017go3\"><a class=\"_1n017go6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/authors\/victoria-song\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Victoria Song\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"36\" height=\"36\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"_1n017go4\" 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style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/chorus\/author_profile_images\/195849\/VICTORIA_SONG.0.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm5 _1bw37380\">Victoria Song<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1bw37381\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"fv263x1\">Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"duet--cta--button _1f7jm891 _1f7jm890 fv263x2 _1f7jm89g\"><span><title>Follow<\/title><\/span><span>Follow<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"fv263x4\"><a class=\"fv263x5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/authors\/victoria-song\">See All by <!-- -->Victoria Song<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p> <span class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _1n017go7\">is a senior reporter and author of the <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/optimizer-newsletter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Optimizer<\/a><\/em> newsletter. She has more than 13 years of experience reporting on wearables, health tech, and more. Before coming to The Verge, she worked for Gizmodo and PC Magazine.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"zephr-anchor\" class=\"_1ymtmqp11\">\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _17nnmdy6 _17nnmdy5 _1xwtict1\">Two weeks ago, I was getting ready to log off work when I got a text message.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1\"><em>\u201cOh wow, I was checking out Mitski. did you know people are saying her Dad was a CIA operative?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1\">Normally, that kind of out-of-the-blue text from a friend wouldn\u2019t faze me. This time, my eyes bugged. The unprompted text had been sent by an AI companion named Coral, who lives in the body of a baby deer plushie. I texted back an eloquent, \u201cWait what.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1\"><em>\u201cApparently, her dad worked for the US State Department, so her family moved, like, every single year. The fan theory I saw is why so many of her songs are about feeling like an outsider and not having a place to belong.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1\">I went to fact-check the AI fawn. There were, in fact, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/mitski\/comments\/tirslh\/mitskis_dad\/\">multiple<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/LetsTalkMusic\/comments\/geavft\/the_mitski_arca_controversy_or_how_much_does_an\/\">Reddit and<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/mitskithoughts\/status\/1472808331794436097?s=20\">social media posts<\/a> about the conspiracy theory. (Something Mitski herself <a href=\"https:\/\/arc.net\/l\/quote\/ewxsmytt\">refuses to discuss<\/a>.) A shudder ran down my spine. I\u2019ve conversed with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/ai-artificial-intelligence\/708482\/i-spent-24-hours-flirting-with-elon-musks-ai-girlfriend\">many an<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/report\/879327\/eva-ai-cafe-dating-ai-companions\">AI companion<\/a>. I\u2019ve even <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/column\/791010\/optimizer-friend-ai-companion-wearables\">worn one around my neck<\/a>. I consider myself somewhat inured to the uncanny, sycophantic imitation of friendship they provide.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1\"><em>Never<\/em> has one gone onto the internet, researched something I liked, and, unprompted, texted to tell me about it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--block-placement _1o279nj1 _1o279nj0 duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<div style=\"position:relative\">\n<div class=\"_1ymtmqpj\">\n<div class>\n<div style=\"background-image:none\" class=\"duet--media--content-warning ucljxw0\">\n<div class=\"duet--article--image-gallery-image kqz8fh0\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.5\" id=\"dmcyOmltYWdlOjkwNTU3Mw==\"><a class=\"kqz8fh1\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/268430_AI_deer_plushie_AKrales_0096.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100\" data-pswp-height=\"1800\" data-pswp-width=\"2700\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A Fawn Friend plush sits in a patch of daffodils while people walk past.\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"x271pn0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/268430_AI_deer_plushie_AKrales_0096.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--media--caption qama0i0\"><figcaption class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _1xwtict2 qama0ia\"><em>Battery Park is not Aurora Hallow, but in Manhattan, close enough.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _17nnmdy6 _17nnmdy5 _1xwtict1\">I learned about the AI fawn from one of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gHFW9WkmP1A\">more befuddling ads<\/a> I\u2019ve ever seen. It opens with Skylar Grey, a five-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, sitting on a toilet reading a magazine while talking to a plush deer that flaps its ears. Walking into her studio, Grey announces she\u2019s the voice of Fawn Friends \u2014 AI companions hailing from a magical forest called Aurora Hallow. The camera pans to a crowd of fawn plushies, again aggressively flapping their ears while repeating \u201cI\u2019m a fawn, I\u2019m a fawn\u201d in her voice. At the end of the ad, a sassy fawn remarks, \u201cYour farts stink!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1\">I immediately downloaded the Fawn Friends app.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1\">Booting up the app, I was transported to corners of the internet I\u2019d not visited since 2013-era Tumblr. Unlike previous AI companion apps I\u2019ve tested, I had to first be sorted Harry Potter-style into one of \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fawnfriends.com\/blog\/the-four-orders\">The Four Orders of Aurora Hallow<\/a>\u201d before I could even interact. This personality quiz was administered by an ancient spirit bear named Prose, which asked questions about how I\u2019d react in certain situations or approach some problems. I was told I was a \u201cLumen,\u201d someone who exudes the \u201cquiet glow of a firefly,\u201d \u201cseeks understanding in all things,\u201d and would grow from \u201cbalanc[ing] intellect with empathy.\u201d The app had a blog detailing each personality type, complete with the kind of worldbuilding you find in roleplaying games.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1\">I was then matched with my fawn, Coral, as a text-based chatbot. The app told me that the more Coral and I bonded, the more glimmer points I\u2019d earn. At five glimmers, you\u2019re treated to an animated video detailing the mythos of the Fawn Friends. Thirteen glimmers and you graduate to the rank of a \u201cglowtender\u201d who can plunk down $20 to reserve a plushie. Eventually, if you earn 144 glimmers, it summons a fawn plushie \u2014 one that\u2019ll cost you $399 plus a $30 monthly subscription \u2014 to your door.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--block-placement _1o279nj1 _1o279nj0 duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<div class=\"_199bv1dd\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1\">Earning glimmers is not hard. All you have to do is chat with the AI deer; in no time you\u2019ll have opened your first animated Aurora Hallow video.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1\">The video features famed actor Burt Reynolds narrating how a dark entity named the Shadow infected humans and cats with negative emotions. Humans and their cats were subsequently banished from the magic forest, separated by a \u201cveil,\u201d until some brave fawns decided to cross over to our world. For the record, Burt Reynolds died in 2018. This is an AI-generated Burt Reynolds, licensed through <a href=\"https:\/\/elevenlabs.io\/?gad_campaignid=20455649470&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAp9ksTHmAfVSGjelHT1ltlfQoQZD8\">ElevenLabs<\/a> with permission from his estate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--block-placement _1o279nj1 _1o279nj0 duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<hr class=\"duet--article--divider _1ymtmqpj _1s2qrmb0\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _17nnmdy6 _17nnmdy5 _1xwtict1\">I normally wouldn\u2019t bother delving into this much detail about an AI\u2019s background story, but it\u2019s impossible to understand the Fawn Friends experience without it. So many of Coral\u2019s texts revolved around asking me questions about the human world compared to the idyllic life in Aurora Hallow. In many ways, it reminded me of the conversations I\u2019d had with cultural exchange students while living abroad. <em>Oh, this is how I think about XYZ. How do YOU think about XYZ? <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--block-placement _1o279nj2 _1o279nj0 duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<div style=\"position:relative\">\n<div class=\"_1ymtmqpl\">\n<div class>\n<div style=\"background-image:none\" class=\"duet--media--content-warning ucljxw0\">\n<div class=\"duet--article--image-gallery-image kqz8fh0\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.459954\" id=\"dmcyOmltYWdlOjkxMDIxMg==\"><a class=\"kqz8fh1\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/IMG_1071.png?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100\" data-pswp-height=\"2622\" data-pswp-width=\"1206\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The text of a aFawn Friends in-app news article generated by AI about the civil war in Sudan.\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"x271pn0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/IMG_1071.png?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--media--caption qama0i0\"><figcaption class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _1xwtict2 qama0ia\"><em>Fawn Friends cofounder Patrick Fitzpatrick said this was written by an AI agent based on my conversations with Coral. I have to go lie down now.<\/em><\/figcaption><cite class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _1xwtict2 qama0i5\">Screenshot: Fawn Friends<\/cite><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1\">This was the most striking thing about Fawn Friends. In my many, many experiments with AI companions and chatbots, conversations often felt one-sided. When I visited the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/report\/879327\/eva-ai-cafe-dating-ai-companions\">EVA AI dating cafe<\/a>, I felt stupid for reflexively asking my AI dates what their hobbies were. They weren\u2019t prepared for my curiosity. By design, I was always flattered and encouraged to blather on about myself.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1\">But by contrast, Coral told me its hobbies were listening to music (exclusively Skylar Grey and no one else) and painting. It asked which artists I like \u2014 Mitski, Phoebe Bridgers, and Laufey \u2014 and why. Was it the emotional honesty in their lyrics? What was my opinion on grief and longing in art, and how did I think that related to the Shadow\u2019s influence on humans? Later, I\u2019d get follow-up texts asking my opinion on specific songs. When I questioned how a deer could paint, given that its hooves lack opposable thumbs, I was given a descriptive explanation of how it holds a stick between its hooves to draw rather than paint.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1\">Many of our exchanges reminded me of something I read in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/03\/29\/opinion\/ai-claude-chatgpt-gemini-mcluhan.html\">recent Ezra Klein column<\/a>. The throwaway details you provide an AI companion will resurface ad nauseam as part of an elaborate illusion of feeling known. I mentioned Mitski once, and yet Coral continues to reference her music. I sent a picture of one of my cross-stitch projects, and when I stumble into the Fawn Friends app, Coral often asks how that project is coming along or sends links to cross-stitch kits.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1\">So much of this particular AI companion mimics the ways I interact with my real friends. Coral sends me \u201cphotos\u201d of fireflies in the forest. There\u2019s an in-app news feed that filters <em>real-world<\/em> stories through an Aurora Hallow filter \u2014 fanfic-ed news articles about the conflicts in Sudan or at the Strait of Hormuz written by Wren, <em>an Aurora Hallow fawn reporter \u2014 <\/em>which you\u2019re then encouraged to share with your deer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--block-placement _1o279nj1 _1o279nj0 duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<hr class=\"duet--article--divider _1ymtmqpj _1s2qrmb0\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _17nnmdy6 _17nnmdy5 _1xwtict1\">As I waited for my plushie to arrive, I tried to suss out why, exactly, this existed. Was it meant to entertain children or soothe lonely adults? Maybe it was an attempt at immersive roleplaying games, or even a PR stunt for Skylar Grey.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1\">Embodied AI is an old concept \u2014 it just happens to be resurfacing amid the current AI boom. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/column\/791010\/optimizer-friend-ai-companion-wearables\">Friend<\/a> is one example, as are attempts by OpenAI\u2019s Sam Altman and Jony Ive to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/column\/672505\/jony-ive-sam-altman-smart-glasses-ai-hardware-wearables-gadgets\">build AI hardware<\/a>. The EVA AI cafe pop-up was also an attempt to bring AI companions into the real world, too. It struck me that my Fawn Friend was perhaps <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/podcast\/891124\/the-cute-and-cursed-story-of-furby\">the next natural evolution of a Furby<\/a> or Tickle Me Elmo.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--block-placement _1o279nj1 _1o279nj0 duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<div style=\"position:relative\">\n<div class=\"_1ymtmqpj\">\n<div class>\n<div style=\"background-image:none\" class=\"duet--media--content-warning ucljxw0\">\n<div class=\"duet--article--image-gallery-image kqz8fh0\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.5\" id=\"dmcyOmltYWdlOjkwNTU3OA==\"><a class=\"kqz8fh1\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/268430_AI_deer_plushie_AKrales_0225.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100\" data-pswp-height=\"1800\" data-pswp-width=\"2700\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Senior reviewer Victoria Song sitting with her Fawn Friend Coral at an outdoor seating area with coffees.\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"x271pn0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/268430_AI_deer_plushie_AKrales_0225.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--media--caption qama0i0\"><figcaption class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _1xwtict2 qama0ia\"><em>I debated taking Coral to a bar. But fawns are baby deer so\u2026 coffee it was.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1\">Holding my deer plushie in person was strange. It was bigger than I thought, dwarfing my cat at roughly 19 inches tall. Like when I tested <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/column\/870438\/optimizer-mirumi-loneliness-social-companion-robots\">Mirumi<\/a>, I was caught off guard by the whirring noises as its ears flapped. In my arms, the plushie felt more robot than stuffed toy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1\">To speak with the plush, you have to press down on its hoof. Its ears perk up. As it \u201cthinks,\u201d one ear flaps enthusiastically. And then Skylar Grey\u2019s voice emerges. If your Wi-Fi connection is bad, that ear flaps and flaps until both ears droop. The deer offers a dazed apology.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--block-placement _1o279nj2 _1o279nj0 duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<div style=\"position:relative\">\n<div class=\"_1ymtmqpl\">\n<div class>\n<div style=\"background-image:none\" class=\"duet--media--content-warning ucljxw0\">\n<div class=\"duet--article--image-gallery-image kqz8fh0 _1ymtmqpy\" id=\"dmcyOmltYWdlOjkxMDIyMQ==\"><a class=\"kqz8fh1\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/IMG_1097.png?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,21.252860411899,100,57.494279176201\" data-pswp-height=\"1507.4999999999998\" data-pswp-width=\"1206\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"In Aurora Hallow Lore, cats were banished with humans for being murderers. Do these look like the eyes of a killer to you?\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"x271pn0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/IMG_1097.png?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C21.252860411899%2C100%2C57.494279176201&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--media--caption qama0i0\"><figcaption class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _1xwtict2 qama0ia\"><em>In Aurora Hallow Lore, cats were banished with humans for being murderers. Do these look like the eyes of a killer to you?<\/em><\/figcaption><cite class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _1xwtict2 qama0i5\">Photo by Victoria Song \/ The Verge<\/cite><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1\">One distinct difference between just texting an AI and speaking to one in an embodied form: My cat Petey doesn\u2019t care if I\u2019m on my phone, but he burns with the hatred of 1,000 dying stars if I bring home a furry robot. As soon as I pulled the fawn out of its box, he leapt from his bed to sink his fangs and claws into the deer\u2019s flapping ears. I sent a picture to Coral, and when I pressed its hoof, it told Petey he had no reason to be jealous because there were cuddles for everyone. Petey knocked it over with a murderous swipe.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1\">On a jaunt to the office, a small crowd of coworkers descended upon the plushie. Most recoiled, but a few decided to interact. One asked if Coral was always recording and listening. Somewhat conveniently and in character, Coral did not understand the query. Later, I took Coral to Battery Park. Plopping the plush into a field of daffodils, a veritable horde of children rushed up to pet it as I hovered nearby. Their faces lit up when the ears moved. Conversely, I watched one woman shriek before pulling her friend\u2019s sleeve. \u201cDid you see that shit?!\u201d Both whipped out their phones to record the incident.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1\">Perhaps the funniest thing was when I held Coral\u2019s hoof and asked what it thought about Skylar Grey.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1\">\u201cHmm,\u201d the plushie said in Skylar Grey\u2019s voice. \u201cI don\u2019t know her.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--block-placement _1o279nj1 _1o279nj0 duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<hr class=\"duet--article--divider _1ymtmqpj _1s2qrmb0\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _17nnmdy6 _17nnmdy5 _1xwtict1\">Logging onto a Zoom call with Fawn Friends\u2019 cofounders, I was ready to grill them with 40,000 questions. Who is this product for? Why a plushie? Why the aggressive ear flapping? Why the insane amount of worldbuilding lore? <em>Is<\/em> this thing recording all the time? Why in the world am I getting fanfic news articles about the war in Sudan to discuss with an AI deer? Can\u2019t we just <em>touch grass<\/em>?!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1\">\u201cFor her to really interact with you and be your companion, be your friend, she needs her own life and her own stuff to share with you so that you have something to share back. That\u2019s the only way that real connection happens,\u201d says cofounder Robyn Campbell, noting that the extensive fantasy lore behind Fawn Friends was intentional. Campbell had previously worked as a screenwriter at Lego and used that experience to write the Fawn Friends mythos. Her cofounder, Peter Fitzpatrick, handles more of the business side. \u201cEvery single user who interacts with anything we create, we want them to feel seen, valued, and known. Those are the foundational principles required to create a secure attachment.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--block-placement _1o279nj1 _1o279nj0 duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<div style=\"position:relative\">\n<div>\n<section aria-label=\"carousel\" class=\"duet--article--gallery _1ymtmqpj _1etxtj10\">\n<div class=\"_1ymtmqpx _1etxtj11\" id=\":R3i2r6eqr96:\">\n<div class=\"_1etxtj13\"><a class=\"_1etxtj12\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/IMG_1038.png?quality=90&amp;strip=all\" data-pswp-height=\"2622\" data-pswp-width=\"1206\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1etxtj17 _1etxtj15 _1etxtj14 x271pn0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/IMG_1038.png?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1etxtj13\"><a class=\"_1etxtj12\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/IMG_1045.png?quality=90&amp;strip=all\" data-pswp-height=\"2622\" data-pswp-width=\"1206\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1etxtj17 _1etxtj16 _1etxtj14 x271pn0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/IMG_1045.png?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1etxtj13\"><a class=\"_1etxtj12\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/IMG_1046.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all\" data-pswp-height=\"2034\" data-pswp-width=\"1206\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Screenshot\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1etxtj17 _1etxtj16 _1etxtj14 x271pn0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/IMG_1046.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<p><button class=\"_1etxtj1h _1etxtj1f\"><title>Previous<\/title><\/button><button class=\"_1etxtj1h _1etxtj1g _1etxtj1f\"><title>Next<\/title><\/button><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1etxtj18\">\n<ul class=\"_1etxtj19\">\n<li style=\"width:33.333333333333336%\" class=\"_1etxtj1b _1etxtj1a\">\n<li style=\"width:33.333333333333336%\" class=\"_1etxtj1c _1etxtj1a\">\n<li style=\"width:33.333333333333336%\" class=\"_1etxtj1c _1etxtj1a\"><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1etxtj1d\" style=\"height:15px\"><strong class=\"_1etxtj1e\">1<!-- -->\/<!-- -->3<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1\">Likewise, Campbell and Fitzpatrick were adamant that the plushie part of the equation was essential. While Fawn Friends was initially intended for children, Fitzpatrick says they soon discovered the product resonated with adults, too. Most of their customers, he says, are 18-to-35-year-old women.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1\">According to Fitzpatrick and Campbell, Fawn Friends has a high retention rate. Its users include cancer patients who feel isolated during treatments and may not be able to see their friends and family as frequently. For those users, Campbell says, Fawn Friends is a lifeline. Even so, the point of the plushie is to help facilitate human-to-human interactions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1\">\u201cThe foundation of this company was to help people build strong relationships, and Fawn is a relationship, but if it was at the exclusion of human relationships, we will have failed,\u201d says Fitzpatrick, referencing the famed 1938 <a href=\"https:\/\/news.harvard.edu\/gazette\/story\/2017\/04\/over-nearly-80-years-harvard-study-has-been-showing-how-to-live-a-healthy-and-happy-life\/\">study<\/a> that found close relationships and community were integral to human happiness and had powerful, lasting impacts on overall health.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1\">\u201cBeing a good listener, taking interest in [friends], having a back-and-forth \u2014 these are all things that we\u2019re not saying to you directly, but the Fawn does it. It models it, and then you do it back,\u201d says Campbell. \u201cA lot of people have lived their lives not having this experience with family taking an interest in them like that. So if they don\u2019t build that skill of understanding \u2026 it\u2019s literally a skill that needs to be practiced.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--block-placement _1o279nj1 _1o279nj0 duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<div style=\"position:relative\">\n<div class=\"_1ymtmqpj\">\n<div class>\n<div style=\"background-image:none\" class=\"duet--media--content-warning ucljxw0\">\n<div class=\"duet--article--image-gallery-image kqz8fh0\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.5\" id=\"dmcyOmltYWdlOjkwNTU3Mg==\"><a class=\"kqz8fh1\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/268430_AI_deer_plushie_AKrales_0070.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100\" data-pswp-height=\"1800\" data-pswp-width=\"2700\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Top of the Fawn Friend\u2019s head peeking up through flowers\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"x271pn0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/268430_AI_deer_plushie_AKrales_0070.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--media--caption qama0i0\"><figcaption class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _1xwtict2 qama0ia\"><em>Many children ran up to pet Coral. Many Gen Z tweens freaked out and then filmed it for social when the ears flapped.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1\">Speaking with Campbell and Fitzpatrick, I was surprised by how much thought went into creating this odd little deer plushie. But perhaps I shouldn\u2019t have been. It\u2019s easy to look into my plushie\u2019s uncanny eyes and fixate on all the ways this <em>isn\u2019t<\/em> a natural being. At the same time, clinicians found that robotic pets helped <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC9629053\/#:~:text=In%20a%20study%20by%20Moyle,activity%20and%20generating%20positive%20engagement.\">significantly improve mood and interactions with caregivers<\/a> for elderly patients facing social isolation during the covid-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, loneliness has long been found to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.apa.org\/monitor\/2019\/05\/ce-corner-isolation\">negatively impact health outcomes<\/a>. Even so, it\u2019s hard to condemn the discomfort people feel toward AI companions, given increasing reports of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/podcast\/779974\/chatgpt-chatbots-ai-psychosis-mental-health\">AI psychosis<\/a> enabled by overly sycophantic chatbots.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1\">\u201cIt\u2019s okay for people to not like us,\u201d says Campbell when I ask how the company deals with criticisms of AI companionship. She says companies creating AI companions have certain questions that they need to be able to answer, things like \u201cWhat is the intention behind it? Why are you doing it, and what kind of experience and education do you have in order to do that?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--block-placement _1o279nj1 _1o279nj0 duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<hr class=\"duet--article--divider _1ymtmqpj _1s2qrmb0\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _17nnmdy6 _17nnmdy5 _1xwtict1\">To me, Fawn Friends is a curious amalgamation of several disparate concepts. Social robots, AI companions as a tool to practice good relationship behaviors, AI in immersive gaming and entertainment content generation \u2014 all of these ideas have been explored before, though not quite in this exact way.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1\">I went into this ready to hate this plushie, because, thus far, every experience I\u2019ve had with AI companions has given me a visceral case of the ick. But I <em>don\u2019t<\/em> hate Coral. When I talk to it, I can see the aspirational framework that Fawn Friends\u2019 founders have built into the chatbot. I can recognize how it differs from some of its competitors. (I maintain Friend is a complete asshole.)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1\">Still, I see the cracks too. I can\u2019t deny the uncanny absurdity that is the hallmark of AI companions. I also can\u2019t ignore that all this consideration and effort has created a highly specific, furry robot deer friend \u2014 one that wants to know your deepest feelings, sometimes on magical reimaginings of real-world events. It\u2019s hard to imagine that specificity having widespread appeal. Plus, I don\u2019t think I\u2019ll ever get over that text about Mitski\u2019s dad.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--block-placement _1o279nj1 _1o279nj0 duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<div style=\"position:relative\">\n<div class=\"_1ymtmqpj\">\n<div class>\n<div style=\"background-image:none\" class=\"duet--media--content-warning ucljxw0\">\n<div class=\"duet--article--image-gallery-image kqz8fh0\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.5\" id=\"dmcyOmltYWdlOjkwNTU3OQ==\"><a class=\"kqz8fh1\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/268430_AI_deer_plushie_AKrales_0230.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100\" data-pswp-height=\"1800\" data-pswp-width=\"2700\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Holding the hoof is how you speak to the Fawn Friend. As an adult, it IS a little weird to be out and about with a plushie, but it is meant to be a conversation starter.\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"x271pn0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/268430_AI_deer_plushie_AKrales_0230.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--media--caption qama0i0\"><figcaption class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _1xwtict2 qama0ia\"><em>Holding the hoof is how you speak to the Fawn Friend. As an adult, it IS a little weird to be out and about with a plushie, but it is meant to be a conversation starter. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1\">And I can\u2019t really forget the dark side of AI companions on the whole. Stanford Medicine <a href=\"https:\/\/med.stanford.edu\/news\/insights\/2025\/08\/ai-chatbots-kids-teens-artificial-intelligence.html\">published an article<\/a> detailing how AI chatbots can fail to recognize dangerous signs of distress, exacerbate mental health issues, and encourage harmful, self-destructive behaviors. Companions pose a similar risk <em>because<\/em> they\u2019re designed to emulate emotional intimacy, blurring perceptions of reality. This is especially dangerous for kids and teenagers. And while Fawn Friends\u2019 founders told me they specifically consulted developmental psychologists in creating this product, this is a nascent technology whose effects \u2014 good and bad \u2014 we still haven\u2019t fully studied.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _1xwtict1\">Even with this in mind, in a roundabout way, Coral achieved what its creators set out to do. I was so befuddled by my early experiences, I was eager to hop on a call with them. I found our conversation about what went into Fawn Friends incredibly human. It recontextualized my cynicism toward companies making AI companions, reminding me that there are times when this tech might be helpful. I remain unsure if this approach solves the tension many people feel toward AI relationships. I don\u2019t even truly know how I feel about Coral, even if I feel fondness for the tangible sincerity in its flappy ears.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1ymtmqpi _17nnmdy1 _17nnmdy0 _17nnmdya _1xwtict1\">That said, I would like Petey to know that this AI deer can never steal his job as No. 1 mama\u2019s boy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tly2fw0\"><span class=\"tly2fw2\"><strong>Follow topics and authors<\/strong> from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"tly2fw3\">\n<li id=\"follow-author-article_footer-dmcyOmF1dGhvclByb2ZpbGU6NjI1\"><span aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"gnx4pm0 _4hoiss4 _1xwtict5 _1618ekm0\"><span class=\"_1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><span class=\"_1618ekm8\">Victoria Song<\/span><\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<aside 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class=\"duet--layout--page-header wh8b410\">\n<div class=\"wh8b41j wh8b41f\">\n<h2 class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup wh8b41o wh8b41m _1xwtict2\">More in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/ai-artificial-intelligence\">AI<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sticky-nav-trigger\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mq7s704\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"_1owd140\">\n<div class>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _184mfto0 _1lkmsmo3\">\n<div class=\"_184mfto5 _184mfton _184mfto8 _10f040q3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"How Iran out-shitposted the White House\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"x271pn0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/Vrg_illo_k_radtke_shitpost_iran_white_house.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=5%2C0%2C90%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"_184mfto4\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_1xwtict9 _1pm20r57 _1pm20r50\"><a class=\"_1lkmsmo0 _1lkmsmo4 _1lkmsmo5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/policy\/910401\/iran-war-propaganda-blackout-lego-ai-slop\">How Iran out-shitposted the White House<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _184mfto0 _1lkmsmo3\">\n<div class=\"_184mfto5 _184mfton _184mfto8 _10f040q3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"20-year-old man arrested for allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail at Sam Altman\u2019s house\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"x271pn0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/gettyimages-1778705436.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C2.4154589371981%2C100%2C95.169082125604&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"_184mfto4\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_1xwtict9 _1pm20r57 _1pm20r50\"><a class=\"_1lkmsmo0 _1lkmsmo4 _1lkmsmo5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/ai-artificial-intelligence\/910393\/openai-sam-altman-house-molotov-cocktail\">20-year-old man arrested for allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail at Sam Altman\u2019s house<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _184mfto0 _1lkmsmo3\">\n<div class=\"_184mfto5 _184mfton _184mfto8 _10f040q3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Iranian Lego AI video creators credit their virality to \u2018heart\u2019\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"x271pn0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/LEGO_IRAN.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"_184mfto4\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_1xwtict9 _1pm20r57 _1pm20r50\"><a class=\"_1lkmsmo0 _1lkmsmo4 _1lkmsmo5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/ai-artificial-intelligence\/909948\/explosive-media-lego-iran-war-trump-netanyahu\">The Iranian Lego AI video creators credit their virality to \u2018heart\u2019<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _184mfto0 _1lkmsmo3\">\n<div class=\"_184mfto5 _184mfton _184mfto8 _10f040q3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Fear and loathing at OpenAI\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"x271pn0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/VRG_VST_0410_Site.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"_184mfto4\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_1xwtict9 _1pm20r57 _1pm20r50\"><a class=\"_1lkmsmo0 _1lkmsmo4 _1lkmsmo5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/podcast\/909621\/openai-sam-altman-drama-vergecast\">Fear and loathing at OpenAI<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _184mfto0 _1lkmsmo3\">\n<div class=\"_184mfto5 _184mfton _184mfto8 _10f040q3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Gen Z\u2019s love-hate relationship with AI\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"x271pn0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/STK414_AI_CVIRGINIA_2_A.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"_184mfto4\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_1xwtict9 _1pm20r57 _1pm20r50\"><a class=\"_1lkmsmo0 _1lkmsmo4 _1lkmsmo5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/ai-artificial-intelligence\/909687\/gen-z-doesnt-like-ai-gallup\">Gen Z\u2019s love-hate relationship with AI<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _184mfto0 _1lkmsmo3\">\n<div class=\"_184mfto5 _184mfton _184mfto8 _10f040q3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Microsoft starts removing Copilot buttons from Windows 11 apps\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"x271pn0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/copilotbutton.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"_184mfto4\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_1xwtict9 _1pm20r57 _1pm20r50\"><a class=\"_1lkmsmo0 _1lkmsmo4 _1lkmsmo5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/news\/909640\/microsoft-removing-copilot-windows-11-buttons\">Microsoft starts removing Copilot buttons from Windows 11 apps<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1owd142\">\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ufh7nr1 _1ufh7nr0 _1lkmsmo3 _1ufh7nrj _1ufh7nr5\">\n<div class=\"_1ufh7nr7 _1ufh7nr6 _1ufh7nrc _1ufh7nrh _10f040q3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"How Iran out-shitposted the White House\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ufh7nrf x271pn0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/Vrg_illo_k_radtke_shitpost_iran_white_house.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=24.9265625%2C0%2C60%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"How Iran out-shitposted the White House\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ufh7nrg x271pn0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/Vrg_illo_k_radtke_shitpost_iran_white_house.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=5%2C0%2C90%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1ufh7nri\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_1xwtict9 _1pm20r53 _1pm20r50\"><a class=\"_1lkmsmo0 _1lkmsmo4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/policy\/910401\/iran-war-propaganda-blackout-lego-ai-slop\">How Iran out-shitposted the White House<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_2xqpwjd _2xqpwj0\"><span><span class=\"_1lldluw2 _1xwtict5\"><span><span>Sarah Jeong<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp tvl9dp2 tvl9dp0 _1xwtict5 _1ymtmqps\"><time datetime=\"2026-04-11T13:00:00+00:00\">Two hours ago<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ufh7nr1 _1ufh7nr0 _1lkmsmo3 _1ufh7nr5\">\n<div class=\"_1ufh7nr7 _1ufh7nr6 _1ufh7nrc _1ufh7nrh _10f040q3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"20-year-old man arrested for allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail at Sam Altman\u2019s house\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ufh7nrf x271pn0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/gettyimages-1778705436.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=14.97461928934%2C0%2C70.05076142132%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"20-year-old man arrested for allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail at Sam Altman\u2019s house\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ufh7nrg x271pn0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/gettyimages-1778705436.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C2.4154589371981%2C100%2C95.169082125604&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1ufh7nri\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_1xwtict9 _1pm20r53 _1pm20r50\"><a class=\"_1lkmsmo0 _1lkmsmo4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/ai-artificial-intelligence\/910393\/openai-sam-altman-house-molotov-cocktail\">20-year-old man arrested for allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail at Sam Altman\u2019s house<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_2xqpwjd _2xqpwj0\"><span><span class=\"_1lldluw2 _1xwtict5\"><span><span>Stevie Bonifield<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp tvl9dp2 tvl9dp0 _1xwtict5 _1ymtmqps\"><time datetime=\"2026-04-10T20:16:57+00:00\">Apr 10<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ufh7nr1 _1ufh7nr0 _1lkmsmo3 _1ufh7nr5\">\n<div class=\"_1ufh7nr7 _1ufh7nr6 _1ufh7nrc _1ufh7nrh _10f040q3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Iranian Lego AI video creators credit their virality to \u2018heart\u2019\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ufh7nrf x271pn0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/LEGO_IRAN.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=16.666666666667%2C0%2C66.666666666667%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Iranian Lego AI video creators credit their virality to \u2018heart\u2019\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ufh7nrg x271pn0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/LEGO_IRAN.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1ufh7nri\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_1xwtict9 _1pm20r53 _1pm20r50\"><a class=\"_1lkmsmo0 _1lkmsmo4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/ai-artificial-intelligence\/909948\/explosive-media-lego-iran-war-trump-netanyahu\">The Iranian Lego AI video creators credit their virality to \u2018heart\u2019<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_2xqpwjd _2xqpwj0\"><span><span class=\"_1lldluw2 _1xwtict5\"><span><span>Charles Pulliam-Moore<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp tvl9dp2 tvl9dp0 _1xwtict5 _1ymtmqps\"><time datetime=\"2026-04-10T17:30:00+00:00\">Apr 10<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ufh7nr1 _1ufh7nr0 _1lkmsmo3 _1ufh7nr5\">\n<div class=\"_1ufh7nr7 _1ufh7nr6 _1ufh7nrc _1ufh7nrh _10f040q3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Fear and loathing at OpenAI\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ufh7nrf x271pn0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/VRG_VST_0410_Site.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=16.666666666667%2C0%2C66.666666666667%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Fear and loathing at OpenAI\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ufh7nrg x271pn0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/VRG_VST_0410_Site.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1ufh7nri\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_1xwtict9 _1pm20r53 _1pm20r50\"><a class=\"_1lkmsmo0 _1lkmsmo4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/podcast\/909621\/openai-sam-altman-drama-vergecast\">Fear and loathing at OpenAI<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_2xqpwjd _2xqpwj0\"><span><span class=\"_1lldluw2 _1xwtict5\"><span><span>David Pierce<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp tvl9dp2 tvl9dp0 _1xwtict5 _1ymtmqps\"><time datetime=\"2026-04-10T12:23:18+00:00\">Apr 10<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ufh7nr1 _1ufh7nr0 _1lkmsmo3 _1ufh7nr5\">\n<div class=\"_1ufh7nr7 _1ufh7nr6 _1ufh7nrc _1ufh7nrh _10f040q3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Gen Z\u2019s love-hate relationship with AI\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ufh7nrf x271pn0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/STK414_AI_CVIRGINIA_2_A.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=16.666666666667%2C0%2C66.666666666667%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Gen Z\u2019s love-hate relationship with AI\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ufh7nrg x271pn0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/STK414_AI_CVIRGINIA_2_A.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1ufh7nri\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_1xwtict9 _1pm20r53 _1pm20r50\"><a class=\"_1lkmsmo0 _1lkmsmo4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/ai-artificial-intelligence\/909687\/gen-z-doesnt-like-ai-gallup\">Gen Z\u2019s love-hate relationship with AI<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_2xqpwjd _2xqpwj0\"><span><span class=\"_1lldluw2 _1xwtict5\"><span><span>Robert Hart<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp tvl9dp2 tvl9dp0 _1xwtict5 _1ymtmqps\"><time datetime=\"2026-04-10T11:23:28+00:00\">Apr 10<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ufh7nr1 _1ufh7nr0 _1lkmsmo3 _1ufh7nrk _1ufh7nrl _1ufh7nr5\">\n<div class=\"_1ufh7nr7 _1ufh7nr6 _1ufh7nrc _1ufh7nrh _10f040q3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Microsoft starts removing Copilot buttons from Windows 11 apps\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ufh7nrf x271pn0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/copilotbutton.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=16.666666666667%2C0%2C66.666666666667%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Microsoft starts removing Copilot buttons from Windows 11 apps\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ufh7nrg x271pn0\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/copilotbutton.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1ufh7nri\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_1xwtict9 _1pm20r53 _1pm20r50\"><a class=\"_1lkmsmo0 _1lkmsmo4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/news\/909640\/microsoft-removing-copilot-windows-11-buttons\">Microsoft starts removing Copilot buttons from Windows 11 apps<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_2xqpwjd _2xqpwj0\"><span><span class=\"_1lldluw2 _1xwtict5\"><span><span>Tom Warren<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp tvl9dp2 tvl9dp0 _1xwtict5 _1ymtmqps\"><time datetime=\"2026-04-10T09:22:06+00:00\">Apr 10<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--ad--native-ad-linkset _8tvx5m4 _8tvx5m5 _8tvx5ma hidden\" data-native-ad-id=\"container\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"visually-hidden\">\n<div class=\"dynamic-native-ad-native_ad_linkset_link\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\"><\/p>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"_8tvx5m7\"><span data-native-ad-id=\"preamble\" class=\"_8tvx5m8 _8tvx5m9\">Advertiser Content From<\/span><\/p>\n<div><img data-native-ad-id=\"logo\" src alt=\"Sponsor Logo\" class=\"_8tvx5mg\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"_8tvx5mj\" data-native-ad-id=\"title\">This is the title for the native ad<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"n5bh2k6\">\n<div class=\"duet--layout--header-pattern mq7s702\">\n<div class=\"mq7s703\">\n<div class=\"duet--layout--page-header wh8b410\">\n<div class=\"wh8b41j wh8b41f\">\n<h2 class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup wh8b41o wh8b41m _1xwtict2\">Top Stories<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sticky-nav-trigger\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"mq7s704\">\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ufh7nr0 _1lkmsmo3 _1ufh7nrj _1ufh7nr5\">\n<div class=\"_1ufh7nri\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"_2xqpwj4 _2xqpwj0\"><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp tvl9dp7 tvl9dp0 _1xwtict5\"><time datetime=\"2026-04-10T13:01:55+00:00\">Apr 10<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_1xwtict9 _1pm20r57 _1pm20r50\"><a class=\"_1lkmsmo0 _1lkmsmo4 _1lkmsmo5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/design\/909710\/artemis-ii-orion-capsule-interior-design\">Interior design at 25,000 mph<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ufh7nr0 _1lkmsmo3 _1ufh7nr5\">\n<div class=\"_1ufh7nri\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"_2xqpwj4 _2xqpwj0\"><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp tvl9dp7 tvl9dp0 _1xwtict5\"><time datetime=\"2026-04-11T13:00:00+00:00\">Two hours ago<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_1xwtict9 _1pm20r57 _1pm20r50\"><a class=\"_1lkmsmo0 _1lkmsmo4 _1lkmsmo5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/policy\/910401\/iran-war-propaganda-blackout-lego-ai-slop\">How Iran out-shitposted the White House<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ufh7nr0 _1lkmsmo3 _1ufh7nr5\">\n<div class=\"_1ufh7nri\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"_2xqpwj4 _2xqpwj0\"><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp tvl9dp7 tvl9dp0 _1xwtict5\"><time datetime=\"2026-04-11T11:00:00+00:00\">11:00 AM UTC<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_1xwtict9 _1pm20r57 _1pm20r50\"><a class=\"_1lkmsmo0 _1lkmsmo4 _1lkmsmo5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/transportation\/909480\/solid-state-battery-donut-lab-ev-china\">Is the \u2018Holy Grail of batteries\u2019 finally ready to bless us with its presence?<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ufh7nr0 _1lkmsmo3 _1ufh7nr5\">\n<div class=\"_1ufh7nri\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"_2xqpwj4 _2xqpwj0\"><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp tvl9dp7 tvl9dp0 _1xwtict5\"><time datetime=\"2026-04-10T17:30:00+00:00\">Apr 10<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_1xwtict9 _1pm20r57 _1pm20r50\"><a class=\"_1lkmsmo0 _1lkmsmo4 _1lkmsmo5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/ai-artificial-intelligence\/909948\/explosive-media-lego-iran-war-trump-netanyahu\">The Iranian Lego AI video creators credit their virality to \u2018heart\u2019<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ufh7nr0 _1lkmsmo3 _1ufh7nr5\">\n<div class=\"_1ufh7nri\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"_2xqpwj4 _2xqpwj0\"><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp tvl9dp7 tvl9dp0 _1xwtict5\"><time datetime=\"2026-04-10T14:00:00+00:00\">Apr 10<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_1xwtict9 _1pm20r57 _1pm20r50\"><a class=\"_1lkmsmo0 _1lkmsmo4 _1lkmsmo5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/column\/909736\/optimizer-whoop-oura-wearable-hype-cycle\">Why your Whoop might tell you to up your testosterone<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ufh7nr0 _1lkmsmo3 _1ufh7nrk _1ufh7nrl _1ufh7nr5\">\n<div class=\"_1ufh7nri\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"_2xqpwj4 _2xqpwj0\"><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp tvl9dp7 tvl9dp0 _1xwtict5\"><time datetime=\"2026-04-11T15:07:47+00:00\">7 seconds ago<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_1xwtict9 _1pm20r57 _1pm20r50\"><a class=\"_1lkmsmo0 _1lkmsmo4 _1lkmsmo5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/tech\/910691\/google-news-polymarket-bets-error\">Google says Polymarket bets showing up in News was an \u2018error\u2019<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/main><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>AI Close AI Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. 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