AI-Generated Ad Stigmatizes Menstruation, Prompting Backlash and Apology

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Chinese brand babysheep released an AI-generated video ad for sleep pants that stigmatized menstruation, causing public outrage and consumer complaints. The company admitted the ad was created by AI, promptly removed it, and issued an apology, acknowledging the harm and vowing to improve oversight of AI-generated content.[AI generated]

Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?

An AI system was explicitly involved in generating the advertisement video content. The content caused harm by offending consumers and potentially violating their rights to respectful treatment, which falls under harm to communities or violations of rights. The harm has already occurred as the video was publicly released and caused controversy. Therefore, this qualifies as an AI Incident due to the AI system's role in producing harmful content that led to reputational and consumer harm.[AI generated]
AI principles
FairnessRespect of human rights

Industries
Consumer productsMedia, social platforms, and marketing

Affected stakeholders
Women

Harm types
Psychological

Business function:
Marketing and advertisement

AI system task:
Content generation


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