McDonald's Netherlands has pulled an AI-generated Christmas ad after a social media backlash. The 45-second video, titled 'The Most Terrible Time of the Year', was intended to reflect the stressful moments that can occur during the holidays. However, it sparked controversy and criticism from some users, who denounced the use of AI to create it. The ad, a humorous take on the festive period, featured a series of mishaps befalling people at Christmas, including presents being knocked off a car by a low bridge, carol singers having their sheet music blown away, and Santa Claus' sled getting stuck in traffic. Customers were advised to escape the festive 'madness' and 'hide out in McDonald's until January'. Despite the intention to capture the chaotic moments of the holiday season, the ad received negative feedback, with some users calling it 'unsettling', 'creepy', and 'inauthentic'. Others raised concerns about the impact of AI on the creative job market, as AI-generated content has become increasingly popular in advertising. The ad was created by the U.S. production company The Sweetshop Films and the Dutch advertising agency TBWA/Neboko, and the use of AI in its creation has sparked debate about the future of creative industries.
