Google’s AI Chatbot Stumbles into a Controversy with an Adorable, yet Cringeworthy, Attempt to Write a Child’s Letter to Her Sports Hero
Artificial intelligence has achieved many remarkable feats, but one thing it can’t or shouldn’t do is compose a heartfelt letter from a child to their sports hero. Google recently learned this the hard way with an ad for its AI-powered chatbot, Gemini, which has sparked widespread criticism. In the ad, a dad asks the chatbot to write a note to Olympic hurdler Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone on behalf of his daughter.
Dr. James R. Doty, a neuroscientist at Stanford University, expressed concerns over the commercial’s premise. "This is a very personal narrative that comes from [a person’s] heart and soul. Somehow switching it to have an AI do it for you…it destroys the whole understanding of what it is to write a letter to a hero." Doty believes that using AI to compose such a letter not only misses the opportunity for authentic human expression but also skips a crucial part of the intention-setting process.
Effective goal-setting, according to Doty, involves deep reflection on values, connecting those values to a specific goal, understanding how that goal can be of service to others, and setting intentions to ultimately achieve the aspiration. When AI chatbots like Gemini are tasked with writing such letters, they may only gather quantifiable information about the hero’s achievements, omitting important aspects that make them a hero in the eyes of their fans.
Doty also worries that AI products designed to create engaging content on social media might steer authors away from heartfelt reflection and undermine their confidence in their own voice. He argues that goal-setting works best when individuals dream big in a calm and relaxed state, fueled by love and not fear.
Despite his criticisms, Doty is not opposed to generative AI. He believes the technology can support human creativity and expression without replacing it. "If it writes something that’s not you, or how you deeply feel, then it’s not you, and it’s a lie." As the debate surrounding AI’s capabilities and limitations continues, Google’s AI chatbot, Gemini, has become a timely reminder of the importance of human expression and emotional connection.
