New AI ad by Google draws backlash

Google’s new ad for its AI chatbot, Gemini, “Dear Sydney,” is stirring controversy. The commercial is facing backlash on the internet as people revisit the conversation about how artificial intelligence can harm creativity.

The ad features a father who uses the generative AI chatbot to search “how to teach hurdle technique” since his girl is a fan of Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and finds tips.

Later in the ad, the father uses the Gemini chatbot to write a fan letter to send to the gold medalist, typing, “Gemini, help my daughter write a letter telling Sydney how inspiring she is.” It is this part that irked people.

Some say the ad showcases how AI will take over some creative human skills like writing or art, while others commented that it undermines the child’s ability to write a letter to someone she idolizes.

In response to the mounting backlash, Google disabled comments on the YouTube video.

Google defends the ad as a celebration of Team USA and an example of how Gemini can offer writing inspiration.

The controversy echoes Apple’s May ad for the iPad Pro, which also faced backlash for crushing cameras and instruments. The ad drew concern that new technology might stifle human creativity.