I went to ElevenLabs' NYC pop-up. A robot poured me cold brew before I haggled with an AI shopkeeper.

After visiting ElevenLabs' pop-up event in New York City, I emerged feeling pleasantly caffeinated and eager to explore the innovations on display. As I entered, I was greeted by an AI photo editor and had the unique experience of conversing with an AI agent over the phone. The highlight? Watching a robot named Adam pour cold brew coffee, although I soon realized that ordering with almond milk presented its own challenges. The space was vibrant, showcasing a variety of ElevenLabs merchandise, and I couldn't resist trying my hand at haggling with an AI shopkeeper. The AI was designed to reject unreasonable offers, and after a bit of back-and-forth, I learned that bartering with programmed bots is no easy feat. My attempt to negotiate down from $27 for a hat ended with me settling at $24 after a lengthy debate. As I navigated through the pop-up, I noticed the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement. According to Sam Sklar from ElevenLabs, the event aimed to demonstrate their voice AI technology in a tangible way. The attendees varied from loyal customers to curious tech enthusiasts, all drawn in by the promise of unique experiences and, of course, coffee. The robot barista, while entertaining, had its limitations. When I asked for a cold brew with almond milk, Adam had a moment of confusion, requiring multiple prompts before finally delivering a drink. Despite the hiccup, I appreciated the novelty of the interaction. In addition to the merchandise, I explored their AI audiobook narrators, which featured the likes of Albert Einstein and Judy Garland. Each character delivered a different experience, and I enjoyed listening to 'Pride and Prejudice' narrated in various voices. I also discovered an AI photo tool that transformed attendees into comic book characters. The engagement was high, with many eager to experiment with the technology. A phone booth in the corner provided an avenue to speak with an AI agent about media industries, revealing how ElevenLabs' technology is being utilized for translating broadcasts. As my coffee dwindled, I reflected on my visit. While I didn't witness a groundbreaking leap in AI voice technology, I left the pop-up with a sense of fun and newfound knowledge about the potential applications of AI in everyday scenarios.