by Google’s new Gemini ad, “Dear Sydney,” has ignited a storm of criticism, highlighting the contentious debate over AI’s place in our everyday lives. The advertisement, which premiered during the Olympics, has many questioning what AI might strip away from human experience.
The ad narrates the story of a young girl who idolizes American track star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. When her father searches for tips on teaching hurdle techniques, Gemini, Google’s generative AI, provides a list of suggestions. The controversy peaks when the father uses Gemini to help his daughter write a fan letter to her hero, asking, “Gemini, help my daughter write a letter telling Sydney how inspiring she is.”
The backlash was swift and intense. Many viewers accused the ad of promoting lazy parenting and doubting the girl’s ability to communicate her feelings genuinely. Others expressed concern that such ads depict a future where AI takes over fundamental human skills like writing.
In response, Google stated that the ad’s intention was to “create an authentic story celebrating Team USA,” showcasing Gemini as a tool to help with brainstorming and drafting ideas, not replacing human creativity.
This controversy is reminiscent of the negative reaction to an Apple ad released in May, where an iPad Pro is shown crushing traditional creative tools, which stirred fears about technology replacing human artistry.
Despite tech companies’ assurances that AI will handle routine tasks to free up human time, the reaction to Google’s ad suggests that the public remains skeptical about these promises.
