AI App's Banned Ad: Objectifying Women & Digital Stripping

0:00On March 18th, a YouTube ad for the AI Video Editing app Pix Video has been banned by the UK's advertising standards authority. The ad, seen back in January, featured before and after images of a young woman, suggesting the tool could erase clothing from her midriff to reveal. Bear Skin Bull text claimed it could erase anything, paired with a hard eyes emoji. The regulator ruled the ad irresponsible because it objectified women and pushed a harmful gender stereotype. They said it implied users could digitally strip clothing off women without consent, which was likely to cause serious offence. Eight people complained, calling the ad sexualizing, objectifying, and harmful. The company behind Pix Video, Saedatek, agreed the presentation was problematic, but stressed their ad blocks nude or explicit content through AI. Detection Saedatek quickly pulled the ad and paused all marketing for an internal audit to fix their approach. They noted the tool isn't designed for removing clothes or creating explicit images.

1:01The authority welcomed the company's actions, but concluded the ad breach standards on social responsibility. Moving forward, Pix Video must ensure future ads avoid objectifying women or risking widespread offence.