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Brands Face Backlash Over Holiday AI Ads as McDonald’s Pulls Netherlands Spot

Online pushback underscores a demand for authentic human‑made work.

Overview

  • Coca‑Cola’s AI‑assisted Christmas commercial drew heavy ridicule on YouTube, with viewers mocking the brand’s departure from its “Always the real thing” legacy.
  • McDonald’s removed its Netherlands holiday ad featuring AI elements after viewers labeled it creepy and repulsive.
  • Internet culture has adopted the term “AI‑Slop” to describe low‑quality synthetic content spreading across platforms.
  • Companies and platforms are leaning on AI to cut costs by avoiding professional artists and creators.
  • A growing counter‑movement is organizing through social media protests and calls for targeted boycotts, with some coverage suggesting resistance could constrain low‑quality AI media in 2026.