The Humane AI Pin, a screenless wearable AI computing device launched in November 2023, represented an ambitious attempt to reimagine human-computer interaction through voice commands, gestures, and projected displays. HP’s acquisition of Humane AI for $116 million marks the end of this experimental hardware while securing valuable AI intellectual property and talent.
The acquisition details: HP will acquire Humane’s AI platform Cosmos, technical talent, and over 300 patents and patent applications, while discontinuing the AI Pin hardware product.
- The $116 million deal focuses primarily on Humane’s AI capabilities rather than its hardware offerings
- HP plans to integrate Humane’s AI technology across its product lineup, from AI PCs to smart printers and connected conference rooms
- The acquisition includes key technical personnel who will join HP’s team
Product history and market reception: The Humane AI Pin faced significant challenges during its brief time in the market, leading to its ultimate discontinuation.
- The device launched in November 2023 with a $699 price tag
- Early adopters and prominent tech reviewers, including Marques Brownlee, provided highly negative feedback
- Technical issues emerged, including potential fire hazards related to the battery clip
- The product was subsequently labeled as one of the biggest tech flops of 2024
Strategic implications for HP: The acquisition represents a significant move to enhance HP’s AI capabilities across its product ecosystem.
- HP has been relatively quiet in the AI innovation space compared to competitors
- The company aims to leverage Humane’s technology to unlock new functionality for customers
- The integration of Humane’s AI capabilities could help HP compete more effectively in the growing AI-enabled device market
Corporate statements and transition: Both companies have expressed optimism about the merger while carefully avoiding mention of the AI Pin’s future.
- Humane’s co-founders Bethany Bongiorno and Imran Chaudhri praised the opportunity to shape “intelligent experiences” with HP
- Official statements from both companies notably omit any reference to the AI Pin’s hardware
- Current AI Pin owners may potentially receive discounts on future HP products featuring Humane’s AI technology
Looking ahead: While the AI Pin’s failure highlights the challenges of introducing radical new form factors in consumer technology, the intellectual property and expertise acquired by HP could prove valuable in enhancing more conventional products with AI capabilities.
Recent Stories
DOE fusion roadmap targets 2030s commercial deployment as AI drives $9B investment
The Department of Energy has released a new roadmap targeting commercial-scale fusion power deployment by the mid-2030s, though the plan lacks specific funding commitments and relies on scientific breakthroughs that have eluded researchers for decades. The strategy emphasizes public-private partnerships and positions AI as both a research tool and motivation for developing fusion energy to meet data centers' growing electricity demands. The big picture: The DOE's roadmap aims to "deliver the public infrastructure that supports the fusion private sector scale up in the 2030s," but acknowledges it cannot commit to specific funding levels and remains subject to Congressional appropriations. Why...
Oct 17, 2025Tying it all together: Credo’s purple cables power the $4B AI data center boom
Credo, a Silicon Valley semiconductor company specializing in data center cables and chips, has seen its stock price more than double this year to $143.61, following a 245% surge in 2024. The company's signature purple cables, which cost between $300-$500 each, have become essential infrastructure for AI data centers, positioning Credo to capitalize on the trillion-dollar AI infrastructure expansion as hyperscalers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Elon Musk's xAI rapidly build out massive computing facilities. What you should know: Credo's active electrical cables (AECs) are becoming indispensable for connecting the massive GPU clusters required for AI training and inference. The company...
Oct 17, 2025Vatican launches Latin American AI network for human development
The Vatican hosted a two-day conference bringing together 50 global experts to explore how artificial intelligence can advance peace, social justice, and human development. The event launched the Latin American AI Network for Integral Human Development and established principles for ethical AI governance that prioritize human dignity over technological advancement. What you should know: The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, the Vatican's research body for social issues, organized the "Digital Rerum Novarum" conference on October 16-17, combining academic research with practical AI applications. Participants included leading experts from MIT, Microsoft, Columbia University, the UN, and major European institutions. The conference...