McDonald’s Pulls Dutch AI Christmas Ad After Online Backlash

McDonald’s Netherlands has withdrawn a new AI-generated Christmas advertisement after a wave of online backlash criticizing its tone, visuals, and reliance on artificial intelligence.

The ad, titled “the most terrible time of the year,” depicted holiday chaos — from Santa trapped in traffic to a cyclist tumbling in the snow — and suggested McDonald’s as an escape from seasonal stress.

Viewers accused the campaign of being cold, soulless, and creatively empty, prompting the company to acknowledge that many people still view Christmas as a joyful period, contrary to the ad’s message.

The production company behind the spot defended AI as a creative tool, arguing that the project required more labor than assumed, but critics questioned the loss of traditional roles such as actors and choirs.

The controversy follows a wider industry trend, with brands like Coca-Cola also releasing AI holiday ads despite repeated backlash, raising fresh questions about how far companies should lean into generative technology.