Artist's 'human AI' chatbot goes viral

Amidst the proliferation of AI chatbots, ChatTJB offers a unique alternative, powered entirely by a human. Created by San Francisco artist Tucker Bryant, this service mimics AI chatbot functionality but is personally operated by Bryant, who reads and answers every submitted question. Launched in April as an art experiment, the project critiques society's increasing dependence on AI, deliberately offering a slower, more human interaction.

The project gained widespread notoriety after Bryant invested $6,000 in a San Francisco billboard on July 27, 2026. This promotion triggered a massive surge in user requests, with over 30,000 questions received and traffic peaking at approximately 5,000 requests per hour. The overwhelming response led Bryant to expand the project, bringing in around 10 volunteers to manage the queries and exploring the possibility of a community-run model.

Bryant's intention is not to discredit AI but to encourage critical thinking about its usage. He observes that users often become more personal and candid once they realize a human is responding. What began as a small experiment has evolved into a viral phenomenon, highlighting our dependence on AI and the enduring value of human connection and interaction.