McDonald’s Netherlands has pulled a 45-second AI-generated Christmas advert after it drew widespread criticism for its “creepy” visuals and choppy, stitched-together clips.

Released on 6th December and created using generative AI by TBWA\Neboko and The Sweetshop, the ad aimed to show holiday mishaps under the slogan “the most terrible time of the year”.

Instead, viewers slammed the uncanny characters and awkward editing, calling it one of the worst ads of the season.

McDonald’s removed the video three days later, saying the backlash was “an important learning” as it evaluates how to use AI effectively.