McDonald's Shocking AI Christmas Ad Pulled – What Went Wrong That Left Millions Outraged?

Some social media users in the Netherlands found it difficult to bear, prompting **McDonald's** to withdraw an advertisement created entirely by **artificial intelligence**. The 45-second video, released on the fast-food giant's **YouTube** channel for the country, was titled "the most terrible time of the year."

Set to a reworked version of **Andy Williams'** classic "It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," the ad humorously depicted the mishaps and chaos that can accompany the holiday season. Scenes included presents being knocked off a car by a low bridge, carol singers losing their sheet music in the wind, and even **Santa Claus**’ sled stuck in traffic. Other antics showed a man slipping while ice skating, a woman being dragged away by a tram after her coat got caught in the door, and a man dangling upside down while trying to put up Christmas lights.

The advertisement concluded with a suggestion to "escape the festive madness" and "hide out in **McDonald’s** till January’s here." However, the humorous take on Christmas did not resonate well with all viewers. Some social media users took to platforms like **X** (formerly **Twitter**) to express their dissatisfaction. Ian Fisch described the ad as “unsettling,” while Richard Roeper noted that McDonald's had succeeded only in creating content that was “creepy,” “poorly edited,” and “inauthentic.”

British voice actor Jon Cartwright chimed in, stating that the ad came across as “so cynical and unfun.” Another X user, Bobby Stapleton, criticized the concept altogether, arguing that the holiday season is generally a time of joy, saying, “nobody wants negative vibes.” Following this backlash, **McDonald’s Netherlands** announced the ad's removal, acknowledging that while it was meant to reflect the stressful moments of the holiday, many consider the season as "the most wonderful time of the year."

The ad was produced for **McDonald’s Netherlands** by the U.S. production company **The Sweetshop Films** and the Dutch advertising agency **TBWA/Neboko**. As of now, neither company has responded to inquiries for comment. However, Melanie Bridge, CEO of Sweetshop Films, defended the use of AI in a post on **LinkedIn** before it was deleted. She emphasized that using AI is not about replacing human craft but rather expanding the creative toolbox: “The vision, the taste, the leadership... that will always be human,” she asserted.

Bridge also pointed out that the production involved significant effort, stating, “the hours that went into this job far exceeded a traditional shoot. Ten people, five weeks, full-time.” Some social media users expressed sympathy for the production team, with one user, Chris, noting that while the content was AI-generated, there were still real people involved in the creative process. This sentiment highlights a growing conversation about the role of AI in creative fields.

As AI-generated content becomes more prevalent in advertising—evidenced by major brands like **Coca-Cola** utilizing similar technology—the industry faces ongoing debates about authenticity and creativity. Coca-Cola, after receiving backlash last year for AI-generated human characters, opted to focus on animated features like polar bears and other creatures in their more recent campaigns.

The controversy surrounding the McDonald's advertisement underscores a broader concern regarding the impact of AI on creativity and job markets. As companies increasingly adopt AI technologies, the balance between human creativity and digital innovation continues to evolve, raising questions about the future of creative industries.