In other parts of the world, far taller buildings are constructed using friction piles[1].

Again, friction piles are not unusual at all. Drilling into bedrock happens in parts of Manhattan[2] , but that's because the bedrock is generally close to the surface.

Whatever's going on with Millennium Tower, it's not "friction piles bad".

1. https://youtu.be/N5i3UsiSoYY

2. https://buildingtheskyline.org/bedrock-and-midtown-i/