Google's Olympics Ad Shows a Dad Using AI to Write His Daughter's Letter to Her Idol. The Internet Calls It 'One of the Saddest Things Ever Aired', Google Pulls It in Days.

In July 2024, Google debuted 'Dear Sydney' during Olympic coverage: a dad watches his daughter train inspired by hurdler Sydney McLaughlin, then asks Gemini to write her fan letter 'from scratch' because 'she has to get this note just right'. Critics universally read it as dystopian — the one moment an AI should NEVER replace is a parent helping a child express genuine love to their hero. Writers, teachers, coaches, and Sydney McLaughlin's own fans flooded the ad with dislikes. Within a week Google pulled the spot from TV and YouTube. It remains Exhibit A in 'when to not use AI' lectures.