“AI crap”: McDonald’s withdraws Christmas commercial after criticism

The Christmas commercial was actually supposed to be funny. The following is sung during various scenes: “It’s the most terrible time of the year”, a reference to the Christmas song “It’s the most wonderful time of the year”. The message should be: You can only survive the chaos at McDonald’s.

“Clichés” and “creepy”

You can also see a man cycling over a mirror-smooth canal bridge with a huge Christmas tree. An ice skater slips. A woman is dragged meters away by a tram. Santa Claus is stuck in a traffic jam with his horse-drawn sleigh.

But that didn’t come across at all. Dutch people complained about “clichés” and clearly fabricated photos on the Internet. Internationally, there were also negative comments on social media about the use of AI. The spot was “creepy”, “poorly mounted” and “illogical”. There was also criticism that the company did not spend any money on real actors and cameramen.

McDonald’s Netherlands took the spot down and spoke of an “important learning experience” in the use of AI. A company spokesman told the German Press Agency: The spot was intended to “show the stressful moments during the holidays in the Netherlands.” However, after the many negative comments, “we realize that for many guests this time is ‘the most wonderful time of the year'”.