Google Says AI Olympics Ad 'Tested Well' Before Inspiring Outrage
Google’s attempt to funnel Olympics excitement into its chatbot, Gemini, “tested well before airing,” the company said. Upon its debut, however, the ad repelled viewers by making artificial intelligence seem like a weak substitute for parenting and human creativity.
The negative response to “Dear Sydney,” which features a dad using Gemini to help his daughter write a fan letter, was so great that it drove Google to phase it out of TV rotation. “Our goal was to create an authentic story celebrating Team USA,” the tech giant said in a statement, adding, “AI can be a great tool for enhancing human creativity, but can never replace it.” Still, Google pulled the ad from its Olympics rotation. It remains on YouTube, with the comments feature turned off.
Controversial Ad Reception
Google’s ad centers on a dad (narrator) and his daughter. She’s “always been a runner” and looks up to American hurdler and sprinter Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. So, she wants to “show Sydney some love” by sending some fan mail. Dad explains, “I’m pretty good with words, but this has to be just right.” Then, the paternal voice asks Gemini to help draft a fan letter to McLaughlin-Levrone. The ad ends with the tagline, “A little help from Gemini.”
However, the ad received a barrage of negative feedback. NPR’s pop-culture podcast host Linda Holmes expressed her disapproval on the social media site BlueSky. A Washington Post columnist even went as far as to say it made her “want to throw a sledgehammer into the television.”
Criticism and Analysis
Shelly Palmer, professor of advanced media at Syracuse University’s communications school, criticized the ad for exaggerating Gemini’s capabilities and sending the wrong message to parents. Palmer argued that the ad undermines the importance of human articulation and creativity, stating, “This is criminally negligent.”
Despite some positive feedback on social media platforms like Daddit group and Instagram, Google ultimately decided to pull the controversial ad.
Similar Controversies in Tech Giant Ads
Another tech giant, Apple, also faced backlash for its ad that crushed creativity, sparking outrage in May. The ad featured an industrial crusher destroying various creative objects, leaving an iPad behind in its wake.
AI in the Spotlight
Google's ad featuring Gemini is just one example of AI integration in advertising. As technology continues to evolve, the role of AI in enhancing human creativity remains a topic of debate and exploration.
Additional AI Insights
Other AI-related news includes the launch of another AI hardware called "Friend" and a Spotify extension for Google Gemini, indicating the expanding capabilities of AI in various industries.
As the AI landscape continues to evolve, it is essential for users to understand the potential benefits and risks associated with integrating AI into daily activities.
