In the heart of San Francisco, a unique experiment is underway. Tucker Bryant, a 32-year-old former Google employee and conceptual artist, has launched ChatTJB a human-powered AI chatbot. This project, which Bryant describes as a high-effort shitpost is a satirical commentary on the tech industry’s obsession with artificial intelligence and the phenomenon of cognitive surrender.
The project began with a 14- by 48-foot billboard on the corner of Sixth and Folsom streets, advertising ChatTJB as the leading chat interface powered by AI. The twist? The AI in this case stands for Average Individual and the chatbot is powered by Bryant’s own brain and fingers. When users type prompts into the website, Bryant is the one typing back responses, often working 10-hour days to keep up with the demand.
The Birth of ChatTJB
Bryant’s journey with ChatTJB began with a desire to comment on the tech industry’s culture omniscience surrounding AI. He initially wanted to call his site but the domain cost was prohibitive at $38,000. Instead, he opted for, which costs a mere $14 per month. The billboard, located in the SoMa district, was chosen for its affordability at $6,000 per month, although Bryant admits the sightlines are pretty trash due to a partially obscuring tree.
Despite the challenges, Bryant’s project has gained significant traction. The website, designed using the AI vibe-coding platform Lovable, has received thousands of prompts from users. Bryant estimates that the site has handled around 15,000 prompts from about 11,000 people in just one week. The project’s virality surged after Bryant posted a video of himself pointing to the billboard on Instagram, which garnered nearly 50,000 likes.
The Human Touch Behind the Chatbot
ChatTJB is not your typical AI chatbot. Bryant’s responses are personal and often include humorous asides. He has fielded a wide range of queries, from impossibly difficult math problems to personal advice. One user even sought comfort during their honeymoon, asking, I am on the first night of my honeymoon and I am not feeling relaxed. Like, is that okay? Bryant’s empathetic response acknowledged the intensity of a big wedding day and encouraged the user to talk to their spouse if they were comfortable.
To enhance the chatbot aesthetic, Bryant designed a page for ChatTJB Pro where users can pay a $5 monthly subscription. As of now, he has exactly two patrons for the Pro tier. Bryant clarifies that he doesn’t encourage subscriptions, viewing it more as a way for supporters to donate to his art project.
The Future of ChatTJB
Bryant’s project has been a resounding success, but it has also been exhausting. At its peak, the site received about 5,000 prompts in an hour, leaving Bryant glued to his laptop for hours on end. Despite the challenges, Bryant finds the personal connections he’s making through ChatTJB to be really sweet.
Looking ahead, Bryant plans to extend the project to the community, allowing other average individuals to reply to questions in a human-to-human exchange. He emphasizes that these responses are not high-quality but rather very, very mid. Objectively mid. The virality of ChatTJB has been a surprise to Bryant, but he hopes to continue the project as a commentary on the tech industry and a celebration of human connection.
