Google Pulls AI “Dear Sydney” Olympics Ad After Backlash
Google has withdrawn its Olympics ad for the AI chatbot Gemini, titled “Dear Sydney,” following backlash over its portrayal of AI in crafting a child’s letter to her favorite athlete.
Controversial Ad Sparks Outrage
The “Dear Sydney” commercial features a young girl’s father using Google’s AI chatbot, Gemini, to help write a letter to U.S. hurdler and sprinter Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.
The ad, which includes a scene of the AI-generated letter and concludes with the child running on a track, aimed to demonstrate Gemini’s potential as a supportive tool in creative processes.
However, it quickly drew criticism for promoting automation over genuine human expression, especially in activities involving children.
Shelly Palmer, a professor at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, was among the vocal critics.
In a widely circulated blog post, Palmer condemned the ad, stating it promoted a “monocultural future” devoid of original human thoughts.
This sentiment was echoed by many who feared that reliance on AI could undermine human creativity.
Google’s Response to the Backlash
Responding to the criticism, Google has decided to phase out the “Dear Sydney” ad from its Olympics rotation, although it remains viewable on YouTube.
A spokesperson from Google mentioned to CNBC that while the ad tested positively before airing, the company chose to withdraw it after receiving feedback.
The spokesperson emphasized that AI should enhance human creativity rather than replace it and reiterated Google’s commitment to creating authentic stories that celebrate human achievements.
Feature Image Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
