In a dramatic turn for one of Silicon Valley’s most hyped startups, Humane AI has been acquired following the disappointing launch of its first product, the Humane AI Pin. Once billed as a revolutionary leap beyond smartphones, the company’s vision failed to translate into consumer success, prompting a quiet but swift exit.
From Hype to Humbling
Founded by former Apple executives Imran Chaudhri and Bethany Bongiorno, Humane AI promised a bold reimagining of personal technology—one free from screens, and centered on natural, ambient interaction. The Humane AI Pin, a sleek, wearable device designed to project a screen onto any surface and respond to voice and gesture, was at the heart of this vision.
But after launching in late 2024, the product quickly ran into trouble. Early reviews highlighted sluggish performance, limited functionality, and a high price tag: $699 upfront, plus a $24 monthly subscription. Despite initial curiosity and media buzz, customer adoption was tepid at best.
“Ambitious, but impractical” became the prevailing sentiment, with many users struggling to find reasons to use the device over a smartphone or smartwatch.
The Fallout
Sales never took off, and Humane failed to establish meaningful traction outside of a niche tech enthusiast base. By early 2025, the company had reportedly burned through much of its funding and laid off a significant portion of its staff. Attempts to pivot the device toward enterprise or accessibility markets were too little, too late.
Amid rising pressure from investors and dwindling runway, Humane began shopping for a buyer.
Acquisition Confirmed
This week, the company confirmed it has been acquired by HP Inc., the tech giant known for its computers and printers. While the terms of the deal were not disclosed, sources familiar with the matter suggest the acquisition price was well below Humane’s last private valuation of nearly $1 billion.
HP stated that the move was part of its strategy to invest in “next-generation AI experiences,” particularly around human-device interaction. While HP has not confirmed whether it will continue developing the AI Pin, the company hinted at integrating Humane’s software and design philosophy into future product lines.
What Went Wrong?
The Humane AI Pin was a bold concept that suffered from poor execution. Critics argue the company overpromised and underdelivered, with hardware and software that didn’t justify the high cost or match user expectations.
“The product just wasn’t ready for prime time,” said Carolina Milanesi, a consumer tech analyst. “People were curious, but not convinced. It’s a classic case of trying to sell the future before the present was figured out.”
Additionally, Humane entered a crowded and highly competitive space without the ecosystem or developer support needed to make a new platform viable.
A Lesson for AI Startups
Humane’s stumble is the latest in a string of hardware-focused startups that aimed high and missed. But while the product may have flopped, its core ideas—privacy-forward AI, ambient computing, and wearable interaction—could still influence the next wave of innovation.
For now, Humane AI’s dream of a screenless future has ended—not with a bang, but with a buyout.
