Orchid AI startup draws criticism for 'second brain' personal assistant

Orchid, a Silicon Valley artificial‑intelligence startup backed by Y Combinator, launched an AI chatbot marketed as a “second brain.” The service can handle everyday tasks such as booking flights, managing emails, scanning food for allergens and, in a promotional video, automatically arranging a restaurant reservation and ordering lilies for a forgotten anniversary, replying to the user with the line “You can’t. That’s why I’m here.”

The video went viral and sparked widespread backlash on social media in several countries. Users described the concept as dystopian, accusing the product of delegating emotional effort and empathy in relationships. Critics also warned about health‑related risks of relying on AI for food‑safety decisions. The controversy highlights growing ethical concerns over AI assistants that intervene in personal and relational contexts.