- Meta launched an AI optimism ad on its official Instagram account, featuring a voiceover that states, "Some people will have you believe AI is going to make us feel less connected. That it’s going to leave us behind," to which Meta disagrees.
- The ad is set to the David Bowie song "Five Years," which is about the human race panicking after learning they will die in a mass-extinction event in five years.
- The lyrics used in the ad include the phrase, "I never thought I'd need so many people," while skipping the more bleak parts of the song that discuss the impending doom.
- Meta spokesperson Francis Brennan emphasized the ad's message of optimism, referencing a quote from Bowie about the song's intent to inspire hope for the future.
- Despite the ad's optimistic message, critics argue that using a song about apocalypse for an ad campaign is either ignorant or insidious.
Meta's latest advertisement has stirred controversy by pairing uplifting visuals with David Bowie's “Five Years,” a song about impending human extinction. The ad, which promotes AI as a means to enhance human connection, features a voiceover stating, “Some people will have you believe AI is going to make us feel less connected. That it’s going to leave us behind. We couldn’t disagree more.”
Despite the ad's optimistic message, critics have pointed out the irony of using a song that describes a dystopian scenario. The lyrics detail a world in panic as it faces an imminent end, with lines like “We had five years left to cry in” and “Earth was really dying.” Meta spokesperson Francis Brennan defended the choice, citing Bowie's intention to inspire optimism about the future, stating, “People are so incredibly serious and scared of the future that I would wish to turn the feeling the other way, into a wave of optimism.”6
However, critics argue that the ad's message is either “really ignorant or really insidious,” given the song's context. A recent survey revealed that only 16% of Americans believe AI will positively impact society in the next 20 years, while 40% expect a negative outcome. This juxtaposition of a feel-good ad with a song about extinction raises questions about the sincerity of Meta's message and the public's trust in AI technology.
“The ad features David Bowie's 1972 song 'Five Years,' which depicts humanity's panic after learning the world will end in five years. Meta's spokesperson cited Bowie's optimism quote to defend the choice, but a recent survey shows only 16% of Americans are positive about AI's impact.”
TechCrunch
