Meta’s New Feel-Good AI Ad Uses a Song About the World Ending
The clip features the David Bowie track “Five Years,” which includes lyrics such as “Earth was really dying (dying).”
Meta's latest advertisement for its artificial intelligence technology employs a song about the world ending to promote a sense of optimism. The narrator of the ad, speaking in a tone of confidence, emphasizes the importance of people and expresses belief in the potential of their products. The ad features various scenes of happy, bonding moments, including a toddler playing with a butterfly, parents laughing with their infant, and Jalen Brunson celebrating the Knicks Championship Parade.
Additionally, the ad highlights the practical applications of its smart glasses, which have faced criticism due to concerns over privacy.
The song used in the advertisement, "Five Years" by David Bowie, contains lyrics that describe a dystopian future with telephones, opera houses, and other technological advancements. The narrator expresses their concern over feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of people and their differences. According to Meta spokesperson Francis Brennan, the use of the song is based on David Bowie's statement that it conveys optimism for the future.
However, BowieBible.com, a website dedicated to the band's catalog, notes that the song speaks of a dystopian world facing its final five years, filled with panic, violence, and attempts at redemption. Drummer Mick Woodmansey has confirmed that the song indeed deals with the theme of the end of the world. The use of this song in a commercial for AI technology is seen as either ignorant or insidious by critics, as it juxtaposes human connection with the apocalyptic scenario.
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