Apple apologized for an ad about their new iPad Pro that made lots of people mad. They won’t show it on TV anymore. The ad had things like musical instruments and TVs getting crushed into an iPad, and people made fun of it on social media. Actor Hugh Grant criticized it for promoting the “destruction of the human experience.” Some see it as a bad move for Apple in the era of artificial intelligence and amid regulatory scrutiny of platforms like the App Store.
Apple Apologizes for Controversial iPad Ad
Tor Myhren, Apple’s VP of marketing communications, apologized for the ad in a statement to AdAge. He emphasized Apple’s commitment to creativity. However, an Apple spokeswoman declined further comment. The ad, still on CEO Tim Cook’s account, has over 53 million views. Despite this, it overshadowed the launch of new iPads and the M4 chip.
Meet the new iPad Pro: the thinnest product we’ve ever created, the most advanced display we’ve ever produced, with the incredible power of the M4 chip. Just imagine all the things it’ll be used to create. pic.twitter.com/6PeGXNoKgG
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) May 7, 2024
The ad showed creative tools crushed into an iPad, sparking widespread ridicule on social media, a first for Apple. Actor Hugh Grant criticized it for promoting the “destruction of the human experience.” Some believe it reflects poorly on Apple as AI advances and regulators consider breaking up the App Store.
Apple’s Controversial iPad Pro Ad Draws Mixed Reactions
The controversial ad featured a machine crushing various items, leaving only an iPad Pro. It touted the device as “the most powerful iPad ever” and “also the thinnest.” However, the implication that an iPad could encapsulate humanity’s cultural achievements within its slim 5mm frame sparked mixed reactions on social media.
Actor Hugh Grant criticized the ad, suggesting it symbolized “the destruction of the human experience, courtesy of Silicon Valley.” Apple, known for its in-house marketing team, also collaborates with agency Media Arts Lab for some campaigns. However, it’s unclear which entity created the iPad Pro ad.
Users expressed strong reactions to the ad. One felt it convinced them to have less technology, while others said it made them “hate” Apple products. Another user found it unnecessary and depressing, saying it had the opposite effect of what Apple intended.
Criticism Arises Over New Apple iPad Pro Ad
Some critics compared Apple’s recent ad to Ridley Scott’s famous 1984 Macintosh commercial. They felt the new ad missed the mark, especially given the current context. This criticism comes just before Apple’s expected announcement of generative AI features at WWDC, which uses existing content for training.
Generative AI can create various content forms, but it also raises concerns about job displacement in creative industries. As companies and consumers embrace AI tools, there’s worry about the impact on creators’ employment, potentially leaving many without work.
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