Humane's AI Pin got trashed by a YouTuber, and it sparked a firestorm over whether that's fair

• Marques Brownlee, a YouTube tech reviewer, published a scathing review of Humane's new AI pin.
• One Humane staffer called the feedback "honest" and "solid."

Marques Brownlee, the influential YouTube tech reviewer whose channel moniker is MKBHD, shared a scathing review of Humane's new AI Pin on Monday titled "The Worst Product I've Ever Reviewed… For Now."

The Humane AI Pin — which Brownlee is hardly the first to criticize — is a tiny wearable computer that straps onto your shirt. It's priced at $700 and has a $25 monthly subscription fee.

It's supposed to complete daily tasks like making calls, taking photos, and answering your questions. It can even project an interactive screen onto users' palms.

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In his review, Brownlee applauded the build and craftsmanship of the device. He said he loved the concept of an AI assistant and respected the Humane team for attempting to create something new.

In practice, though, he said the device was slow and its battery life inconsistent. Brownlee also dinged it for its poor photo and video quality and for sometimes returning incorrect answers to his questions.

The YouTuber's review garnered strong reactions on X.

Sam Sheffer, Humane's head of new media, called Brownlee's review "honest" and "solid." He added that "feedback is a gift" and said the company would "continue building."

In another viral X post, however, Daniel Vassallo, a tech founder, called Brownlee's review "distasteful" and "almost unethical" given his huge following. "With great reach comes great responsibility," Vassallo wrote. "Potentially killing someone else's nascent project reeks of carelessness."

"We disagree on what my job is," Brownlee responded.

Vassallo told Business Insider he wasn't defending Humane and actually thought the substance of Brownlee's review was "fair and balanced." His main issue was with the title of the video.

"The power to crush a company shouldn't be taken lightly, and that headline is what most people will see," Vassallo told BI.

Others agreed that the review had the potential to dent Humane's reputation — though they didn't dispute Brownlee's right to post it.

"MKBHD bankrupted a company in 41 seconds," Alex Finn, a tech influencer, posted on X. "This clip will be the gravestone for Humane."

Alex Kehr, the CEO of Superlocal, a mapping app, called the review "devastating for the future of Humane," adding that "the most trusted tech reviewer saying it's the worst product he's ever reviewed is going to eviscerate sales."

Neither Brownlee nor Humane immediately responded to requests for comment from BI.