Midjourney Buys Astrology App Co-Star
· news
Midjourney’s Astrological Gambit: A Dubious Union of Tech and Pseudoscience
The recent acquisition of Co-Star, a popular astrology app, by AI image and video generation toolmaker Midjourney has left many in the tech world perplexed. On the surface, it appears to be an odd pairing – a company known for pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence merging with one that peddles pseudoscientific claims about celestial bodies influencing human lives.
Midjourney’s CEO Banu Guler and founder David Holz have framed the move as a “natural extension” of their shared values, citing their mutual interest in using technology to reveal humanity. However, this alignment of values seems more like a convenient justification for a business decision than a genuine passion project.
Guler’s background offers insight into the thinking behind this acquisition. Her interests range from feminist zine/book projects to bike messengering – not exactly typical profiles of tech industry leaders. Yet, it’s her experience running Co-Star that has brought her and Midjourney together.
Co-Star boasts a massive user base among young people in the US, which is undoubtedly attractive to Midjourney as it seeks to expand beyond its core business. However, this move raises questions about the motivations behind such a significant acquisition. Is Midjourney genuinely interested in expanding into the world of astrology, or is it simply looking for a new revenue stream?
A recent Gallup survey found that Gen Zers have become increasingly wary of AI, with excitement and hopefulness plummeting while anger increases. This trend could make the task of selling this acquisition to younger users even more challenging.
The pseudoscientific claims made by Co-Star are also a concern for Midjourney. Despite its popularity, astrology remains a pseudoscience, and by associating itself with such claims, Midjourney risks tarnishing its own reputation as a serious player in the tech industry.
As Midjourney embarks on this new venture, one can’t help but wonder what the implications will be for both the company and its users. Will Co-Star’s acquisition serve as a Trojan horse, allowing Midjourney to infiltrate the world of pseudoscience and tap into the lucrative market of astrology enthusiasts? Or will it ultimately prove to be a misstep that alienates the very users it seeks to engage?
The implications of this unlikely union are far from clear. What is certain, however, is that Midjourney’s foray into astrology has sparked both curiosity and concern within the tech community.
Reader Views
- CSCorrespondent S. Tan · field correspondent
The Midjourney-Co-Star union reeks of opportunism rather than a genuine interest in merging technology and mysticism. Co-Star's user base is indeed tantalizing, but let's not forget that its business model relies on selling false hope to young people. By acquiring this astrology app, Midjourney risks alienating the very demographic it needs: Gen Z users who are increasingly wary of AI's influence over their lives. This acquisition may prove to be a costly gamble if Midjourney can't convince its new user base that its tech has more substance than fantasy.
- EKEditor K. Wells · editor
The real concern here isn't just Midjourney's foray into astrology, but how this acquisition will affect their brand credibility in the tech space. Co-Star's popularity among young people is undoubtedly a draw, but what about the long-term implications? Will users start questioning the validity of AI-generated content if it's now tied to pseudoscientific practices? The integration of these two disparate businesses raises more questions than answers, and Midjourney would do well to tread carefully lest they alienate their core user base.
- RJReporter J. Avery · staff reporter
The acquisition of Co-Star by Midjourney raises questions about the long-term implications for user trust in AI-powered services. By merging with a platform that peddles pseudoscientific claims under the guise of "astrology," Midjourney may inadvertently legitimize these practices and undermine efforts to educate users about critical thinking and scientific literacy. It's crucial for regulators to scrutinize this deal, not just from an antitrust perspective but also from a public health one, considering the potential impact on vulnerable demographics.