Comedians' Fake AI Startup Ads Go Viral on NYC Subway
New York comedians Harris Alterman and Dave Ross created a series of parody AI startup advertisements, which they briefly displayed in NYC subway stations. A video showcasing these fake ads rapidly gained traction online, accumulating over 3 million views across various social media platforms. The duo stated their intent was to satirize the often confusing and nonsensical tech ads prevalent in the subway, even discovering that one of their fictional company names, "Wireflow," is shared by a real AI firm.
Harris Alterman and Dave Ross, two comedians based in New York, designed and installed a series of fake AI startup advertisements in NYC subway stations this week. Their parody campaign, featuring slogans like "What if forks were spoons? Cutlery.ai" and "1 +1 = ____. Dennis can tell you," aimed to satirize the proliferation of often incomprehensible tech advertisements.
A video posted by Alterman and Ross, documenting their project, quickly went viral. It garnered over 3 million views across Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, highlighting the public's reception to their satirical commentary on the tech industry's marketing.
Alterman, who creates parody content professionally, explained that spoofing subway tech ads felt like a natural extension of his work, as he frequently encounters what he perceives as nonsensical AI company advertisements during his commutes. Ross, known for transforming comedic concepts into tangible objects, assisted in producing the posters.
The comedians later discovered that one of their fictional company names, "Wireflow," which appeared with the slogan "You pay us, we pay you," is also the name of a real AI company. Andrew Adams, founder of Wireflow AI, reportedly commented that his company's software could create such AI images at scale.
The entire endeavor cost approximately $200. Alterman and Ross stated they removed the posters immediately after filming their viral video, anticipating action from MTA officials. They also mentioned being approached by officials during the filming process.
Both comedians have backgrounds in technology, with Alterman, 34, having worked as a social-media director, and Ross, 43, spending several years as a web developer. Following the success of their stunt, they have begun selling T-shirts related to the campaign. The pair believes there is ample comedic material to explore within New York's subway system.
According to Business Insider, Alterman expressed, "This is a pretty deep well of comedy. We could probably make a lot more of these."
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