• HP has agreed to acquire Humane's technology and staff for $116 million amid the shutdown of the AI Pin.
• The AI Pin, meant to revolutionize personal tech, faced significant criticism and poor sales since its launch.
• Customers will lose functionality of the device by the end of February 2025, with limited refund options.

San Francisco's Humane, known for its AI-enabled wearable device called the AI Pin, is shutting down operations after a rocky product launch and disappointing reviews, culminating in an acquisition deal with HP Inc. for $116 million. Humane's decision, announced on February 18, coincides with the company's financial struggles, having raised over $230 million in funding from notable investors like Sam Altman of OpenAI and Marc Benioff of Salesforce. Despite its promising concept—a wearable AI device designed to reduce screen time—the AI Pin failed to impress users and critics alike, leading to fewer than 10,000 sales after targeting an initial goal of 100,000 units, according to a report by The New York Times. Immense hype surrounded the AI Pin's launch, fueled by a star-studded marketing campaign that included appearances at Paris Fashion Week, where models showcased the product. However, initial consumer impressions were marred by technical flaws; reviews described the device as slow, inaccurate, and overall ineffective. Influential tech reviewers like Marques Brownlee labeled the pin “bad at almost everything it does,” which caused significant reputational damage to the brand. By October 2024, as scrutiny mounted, Humane responded by lowering the price of the AI Pin from its original $699 to $499, but the move could not revive its fortunes. As noted by SFGATE, the company ultimately decided to cease operations when the product failed to meet expectations in practical use. In a farewell message to customers, Humane confirmed that the AI Pin would no longer function after February 28, 2025, with few avenues for obtaining refunds. The company pledged refunds only for devices shipped after November 15, 2024, leaving many dissatisfied customers without recourse. Following the acquisition, HP plans to integrate Humane's workforce and technology into a new innovation lab called HP IQ, focusing on developing cutting-edge AI capabilities across its product lines aimed at enhancing the user experience. Humane’s co-founders, Bethany Bongiorno and Imran Chaudhri, will transition to HP, continuing their investment in AI development within a more stable corporate structure, as stated in reports from Business Insider.