The criticism comes at a time when consumers are increasingly uncomfortable with ads promoting AI-powered tools that minimize creativity and humanity. Examples include Apple's Crush ad, which was criticized for depicting creative tools being crushed by a hydraulic press, and Google's Dear Sydney ad, which was criticized for depicting a father using AI to help his daughter write a letter, a scenario many felt stripped a sweet father-daughter moment of its humanity.
Key takeaways:
- Spotify is facing criticism for using generative AI in its end-of-year campaign, Wrapped, with users expressing dissatisfaction with the AI-powered features and accusing the company of being "lazy".
- The backlash against Spotify is part of a larger trend of consumers criticizing brands for using generative AI in their marketing campaigns, with Coca-Cola and Toys ‘R’ Us also facing scrutiny for their AI-powered ads.
- There is a growing concern that AI is replacing creative jobs, with Spotify having cut 17% of its workforce at the end of last year, partly due to "slowing economic growth and expensive capital".
- Consumers are uncomfortable with ads promoting AI-powered tools that minimize creativity and humanity, with Apple and Google's ads also receiving negative feedback for their depiction of AI replacing human creativity.