I re-created Google’s cute Gemini ad with my own kid’s stuffie, and I wish I hadn’t

Source: The Verge

Buddy’s in space

When your kid starts showing a preference for one of their stuffed animals, you’re supposed to buy a backup in case it goes missing.
I’ve heard this advice again and again, but never got around to buying a second plush deer once “Buddy” became my son’s obvious favorite. Neither, however, did I ever think I’d see a stuffed‑animal commercial that looks like it was made by a sci‑fi studio.

The new Gemini AI ad from Google features a plush deer floating in a zero‑gravity environment, complete with a tiny astronaut helmet and a backdrop of stars. The commercial is part of Google’s broader push to showcase Gemini’s multimodal capabilities—its ability to understand and generate text, images, and video in a single model.

What the ad shows

• Zero‑gravity setting: Buddy drifts through a space‑station‑like set, turning slowly as if weightless.
• Narration: A calm voice explains how Gemini can “understand the world in many dimensions,” while Buddy’s eyes follow the camera.
• Visual effects: The lighting and particle effects are high‑end, giving the plush toy a realistic, almost cinematic presence.

Why it matters

Google is positioning Gemini as a direct competitor to OpenAI’s GPT‑4o and Anthropic’s Claude models. By using a whimsical, family‑friendly image, the company hopes to make the technology feel approachable while still demonstrating its technical prowess.

Reception

Early reactions on social media range from delight at the adorable visual to skepticism about the relevance of a stuffed‑animal commercial for a cutting‑edge AI product. Some commenters note that the ad cleverly sidesteps the usual “robotic” aesthetic that dominates AI marketing.

Bottom line

The Gemini AI commercial is a reminder that AI is increasingly being woven into everyday narratives—even those involving a child’s favorite plush deer. Whether the ad’s charm translates into real‑world adoption of Gemini’s capabilities remains to be seen, but it certainly captured attention.