Google Pulls Gemini AI Ad from Olympics After Backlash

Google is not winning any gold medals for its Olympics ads this year. Following days of backlash, the tech giant has decided to pull its controversial “Dear Sydney” ad from Olympic coverage.

In the 60-second ad, a father attempts to write a fan letter on behalf of his daughter to her Olympic idol, US track star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. The premise is typical of the heartwarming ads expected during the Olympics, but the twist comes when, instead of helping his daughter write the letter, the father uses Google's Gemini AI to do it for them. “This has to be just right,” he says, before prompting Gemini to tell Sydney how inspiring she is, mentioning that his daughter plans to break her record one day, and even adding a “sorry, not sorry” joke at the end.

Immediate Backlash

From the moment the ad aired, it faced severe criticism online. Many viewers lambasted the ad on social media for completely missing the point of writing a fan letter, which is to make a genuine, heartfelt connection by being vulnerable and expressing how much your hero’s work has impacted your life. Washington Post columnist Alexandra Petri expressed her frustration, stating she wants to “throw a sledgehammer into the television every time I see it.” Others noted that the ad encourages taking the easy way out instead of practicing self-expression.

Google's Response

In response to the negative feedback, Google acknowledged the criticism but clarified that the commercial wasn’t meant to imply Gemini could completely replace human effort. The ad was intended to “show how the Gemini app can provide a starting point, thought starter, or early draft for someone looking for ideas for their writing.” Despite the explanation, the backlash was significant enough for Google to pull the ad from Olympic coverage.

Tech Companies and AI Missteps

This isn’t the first time big tech has stumbled while showcasing AI in advertising. A few months ago, Apple faced criticism for its “Crush” ad, which depicted a hydraulic press squishing creative tools into a shiny new iPad. The imagery upset many, especially amid growing fears that AI could replace the work of writers, artists, performers, and other creatives.

Authentic Connection vs. AI Assistance

At the heart of the issue is the struggle tech companies face in reading the room when it comes to AI. The “Dear Sydney” ad isn’t about AI stealing jobs but about the human craving for authentic connection. A fan letter is precious because it represents someone taking time out of their busy life to express what another person's work means to them. It’s hard to imagine that McLaughlin-Levrone wouldn’t be moved by a rambling letter from a child, complete with occasional typos and awkward grammar.

Ironically, the father’s words leading up to his Gemini prompt were perfect enough. Conversely, the glimpses of Gemini’s draft read more like a boilerplate cover letter. Google may have intended to show that Gemini is great at starting a draft, but it failed to understand that business emails are one thing, and personal letters are something else entirely. Writing them isn’t supposed to be easy. Being nervous, pushing through it, and sending your honest feelings anyway — that’s the entire point.

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