🔗 Share this article McDonald's Pulls AI-Created Christmas Ad Following Online Criticism. A AI-generated image featured in the pulled McDonald's commercial. The global fast-food chain has taken down a holiday advertisement created using AI after facing significant criticism on social media. The brief film was produced via AI-generated video and was originally uploaded on the YouTube channel for McDonald's Netherlands back on 6 December. Viewer Criticism and Removal Soon after it aired, viewers on social media criticized the use of AI in the commercial. A number of described it as "creepy" and "awkwardly stitched together". "This moment serves as an important learning as we explore the appropriate use of AI," said a representative from McDonald's Netherlands. The commercial was produced for the brand by Netherlands-based agency TBWA\Neboko and American firm The Sweetshop. It portrayed a series of things that often go badly during the festive season, with the tagline "not the most wonderful time of the year". The Phenomenon of AI-Generated Ads Commercials that include AI tools have become a rising phenomenon among prominent brands, notably for the holiday season. Another beverage giant has similarly released back-to-back AI-created Christmas ads. Inherent Limitations: Because videos created with generative AI are prone to distort the more extended they are, the majority of such clips tend to be only short in length. Industry Concerns: The ad also sparked fears about the replacement of human roles in the advertising industry, with some commenters stating it could negatively impact work for production staff. Defense from the Creators After the video's removal, a producer's chief executive, Melanie Bridge, defended the project. Bridge claimed, the development required "seven weeks" and involved generating "countless iterations" which were then edited in post-production "in the same way we would on any traditional production". "This wasn't just an AI trick," Bridge asserted. "The result was a proper commercial." Mixed Audience Sentiment While the McDonald's commercial was mostly criticized, the reception for other AI-generated campaigns has been divisive. For instance, a recent AI-created Christmas spot from Coca-Cola reportedly received a 61% "positive feedback" from the public. However, other businesses have likewise encountered backlash for employing the technique in marketing. Italian fashion house Valentino, for example, was lambasted for advertisements that critics described as "lazy" and "disturbing". The situation highlights the ongoing discussion within the advertising and production sectors about the trade-off between new tools and audience reception.
A AI-generated image featured in the pulled McDonald's commercial. The global fast-food chain has taken down a holiday advertisement created using AI after facing significant criticism on social media. The brief film was produced via AI-generated video and was originally uploaded on the YouTube channel for McDonald's Netherlands back on 6 December. Viewer Criticism and Removal Soon after it aired, viewers on social media criticized the use of AI in the commercial. A number of described it as "creepy" and "awkwardly stitched together". "This moment serves as an important learning as we explore the appropriate use of AI," said a representative from McDonald's Netherlands. The commercial was produced for the brand by Netherlands-based agency TBWA\Neboko and American firm The Sweetshop. It portrayed a series of things that often go badly during the festive season, with the tagline "not the most wonderful time of the year". The Phenomenon of AI-Generated Ads Commercials that include AI tools have become a rising phenomenon among prominent brands, notably for the holiday season. Another beverage giant has similarly released back-to-back AI-created Christmas ads. Inherent Limitations: Because videos created with generative AI are prone to distort the more extended they are, the majority of such clips tend to be only short in length. Industry Concerns: The ad also sparked fears about the replacement of human roles in the advertising industry, with some commenters stating it could negatively impact work for production staff. Defense from the Creators After the video's removal, a producer's chief executive, Melanie Bridge, defended the project. Bridge claimed, the development required "seven weeks" and involved generating "countless iterations" which were then edited in post-production "in the same way we would on any traditional production". "This wasn't just an AI trick," Bridge asserted. "The result was a proper commercial." Mixed Audience Sentiment While the McDonald's commercial was mostly criticized, the reception for other AI-generated campaigns has been divisive. For instance, a recent AI-created Christmas spot from Coca-Cola reportedly received a 61% "positive feedback" from the public. However, other businesses have likewise encountered backlash for employing the technique in marketing. Italian fashion house Valentino, for example, was lambasted for advertisements that critics described as "lazy" and "disturbing". The situation highlights the ongoing discussion within the advertising and production sectors about the trade-off between new tools and audience reception.