Why the new AI Pin will be a usability nightmare
When modern gadgets don’t solve problems and create more instead.
Our modern world seems to be great at creating “solutions” for problems that don’t exist. And, to my lack of surprise, it seems that our friendly billionaire Bill gates has endorsed this uniquely designed gadget guaranteed to make anyone who wears this eyesore an outcast at any social gathering.
What Is The AI Pin?

Developed by hu.ma.ne, the AI Pin is the newest and most recent addition to AI interface technology. This small device is normally pinned to the front of your shirt and features voice-based AI tools that allow you to search for music, send texts, and track your macronutrient intake. The device promises an intuitive voice-based interface that can be quickly summoned with the press of the finger on its flat surface.
The AI Pin is a device designed for what Bill Gates calls a future where no apps will be needed to complete daily tasks. Personally, I see AI Pin as being a bit before their time on this one. I’ll explain why in a few reasons.
The AI Pin’s Beacon Isn’t Easy To See

The Beacon is a blue light that comes on when you receive an update or notification. It’s intended to let the user know when they are receiving an important message. The problem? That same light is near the back of the AI Pin, meaning its wearer would either have to position the pin on the lower part of the chest (which looks strange) or look down and change their entire field of view just to check to see if the Beacon is on.
It’s impractical location means that the user cannot gauge their surroundings while checking their device. The other major flaw is that the user has to look down entirely and possibly ignore the person they are speaking with, making the receiver look awkward during conversation.

Also, the Beacon Light’s purpose is better served with a sound-based notification rather than a blue light. And even then, it would still be a social impediment. Texting others back using this device requires the wearer to speak into the device while wearing it on the front of their shirt. In conversation, this does not suit the other party, who must step away to let the user have their moment to reply to a text conversation. At a social gathering where noise is an issue, I can only imagine how much more difficult using an AI Pin would be. Ease of use is critical in the design of a product — and in this case, the ease of use is almost non-existent.
Conversation Translator: Ambitious, But Contextually Difficult

By using the AI Pin’s built in translator, you can also understand people who speak different languages. The beauty lies in the voice AI’s smooth translation and its ability to easily read aloud the new conversation.
Here, the issue becomes apparent when the user expects the person speaking the unknown language to understand they are using the AI Pin, and that the AI Pin’s translator will do the work. People who speak English as their second language may instead speak in broken English to communicate with the person, especially if they are a superior. Most use cases would not be supported because the functionality would have to be explained to the non-native language speaker, which would take up more time than just using a translator app.
The AI Pin’s Trust Light Appears Vague and Suspicious

The Trust Light indicates when input, audio, or camera sensors are active. That’s pretty extensive for such a vague signifier — an orange light that gives the user little indication of which is active. It solely depends on which feature the user activates.
I could see the trust light being a huge issue, especially if somone else sees it come on and doesn’t know whether the user is activating their camera and photographing them or not. This can be highly uncomfortable for most people in social settings as well.
Can The AI Pin Still Be Successful?

In the right market, the AI Pin could become a success — but there are glaring issues here. Its price tag is out of reach for most people, putting its price at $699, with a $24/month subscription fee to access its many services. A hefty price tag, and almost not worth the trouble of being an early adopter.
In today’s tech marketplace, we already have smartphones and smart watches. These already have AI-based voice technology and those function just as well if not better. Siri’s voice based AI is the best on the market and it is difficult to top that, as most people are accustomed to using it for everyday tasks.
The AI Pin’s biggest issues come from its features. From a usability standpoint, it breaks a lot of rules and conventions. Social devices like the AI Pin should support live user conversation, not hinder it. They should also consider others’ privacy and be more considerate of how things like cameras are placed. It’s difficult enough to have a front-facing camera on the AI Pin; with the added problem of not knowing when one is being photographed, this can become a huge issue in public spaces where photography is not welcome.
The AI Pin has the potential to be a technological marvel — it can track macronutrients on the fly, features a laser guided MP3 player that can be adjusted via hand motion, and can even shoot video on request. However, it still needs a large early adopter market if it is going to succeed. A good start would certainly be lowering the price tag. Most users can just purchase an iphone 13 at that price and would get a device that services the same needs as the AI Pin, but better and more suited to everyday life.
And while I respect hu.ma.ne’s vision of a future powered by AI interfaces, it seems too ambitious when there are simply too many products out there that serve the same needs.
References
AI Pin Powered By hu.ma.ne. Hu.ma.ne. 2024.
Bill Gates and Humane’s AI Pin: AI Is The Interface. John Koetsier. November 2023.