ChatTJB, the human chatbot, on hold due to lack of funding

Less than $300 raised for a project that cost $6,000 in advertising and triggered thousands of human exchanges: ChatTJB is on hold. Its creator, Tucker Bryant, says he does not want to make it a full-time job and is seeking external support. He announces a possible short-term return while discouraging the $5 "Pro" subscription.

Less than $300 received and site on pause, according to Tucker Bryant

Tucker Bryant claims to have raised less than $300 in donations and subscriptions, which does not cover either advertising or operating costs. He also specifies that he has only received $300 in donations so far. The site now indicates that TJB is on pause. According to him, the project needs more support than he can provide, and he does not wish to make it his full-time job. He presents ChatTJB as a short-term artistic project, challenging on several levels.

Over 10,000 volunteers to play the "AI"

More than 10,000 people have applied to lend a hand as "AI" (Average Individuals), according to Tucker Bryant, who describes the application rate as "crazy." The call for volunteers was launched to make the project sustainable. He promises that these volunteers will be the first to be informed of upcoming updates.

A service operated manually after $6,000 in advertising

ChatTJB presented itself as a chatbot, but it was its creator who personally answered the questions sent in, even going so far as to produce hand-drawn illustrations. The service processed thousands of requests. Users visited after seeing an advertisement placed in San Francisco, for which Tucker Bryant says he spent $6,000 at the end of July. The service went viral.

His motivations and stance on AI, between curiosity and critical thinking

The most frequently asked question was, "Why are you doing this?" Tucker Bryant explains he has two answers: to encourage curiosity about our relationship with technology at a time when AI impresses as much as it can influence our behaviors, and because he found the idea genuinely funny. He says he hasn't really learned how humans interact with AI, as users knew they were talking to a human, but he observes that the exchange with an anonymous person there to help is appreciated. Questions ranged from opinions on fiction to personal dilemmas or activity ideas, a mechanism he compares to trying on an outfit in front of a mirror and asking a friend's opinion. He does not consider himself anti-AI, describes himself as non-technical, and believes he could not have launched such a project three or four years ago without the help of AI. He finds AI "really cool" while calling for critical reflection on our relationship with these tools and the tone of the debate, especially in light of speculation about a bubble.

Short-term return announced, $5 "Pro" subscription discouraged

Tucker Bryant announces a return at least temporarily in the short term, but reiterates that the future will depend on increased support and, potentially, a partner. He has created a "ChatTJB Pro" tier at $5, while now asking not to subscribe to it. On the site, he describes this tier as "stupid and worthless," designed to give him a break and help him recoup advertising costs. Previously, only four donations totaling $20 had been recorded. Questions remain on hold while he reorganizes.