LOS ANGELES, CA — The advertising industry is abuzz after reports that a recent AI-made television commercial was produced on a budget of only three pristine Tennessee lakes.
This marks a significant improvement in the environmental impact of generative AI, or as ecologists call it, “the Sleepless Hunger that will devour every leaf in the woods, every star in the sky.”
Video content created using AI technology has drawn aesthetic criticism since Will Smith first ate spaghetti. Many have slammed AI for its potential to eliminate jobs, such as Administrative Assistant and Insurance Claim Denier. But the loudest criticisms have focussed on AI’s environmental impact.
“There’s a lot of vegan tree-huggers eating crow today. Three lakes is nothing,” said producer Pam Webb. Webb said the ad’s success is “raising a pair of middle fingers on the same hand” to AI’s doubters.
The commercial, promoting a new mobile app combining sports betting, drop shipping, and online dating, was written, generated, and scored entirely by generative AI. Marketing professor John Taylor commented, “Is it a good ad? God, no. But it’s not bad for three lakes.”
Environmental accountants caution that the lake budget for such a project does not give the whole picture. For example, the TLC (total lakes consumed) may be low, but the ODR (orphaned duckling rate) or the TWW (towns without water) may still be high. That said, it’s ultimately the lake numbers that get the most attention, for good reason.
“Generating AI graphics is energy intensive, requiring extra water for cooling,” said ecologist Trevor Nguyen. “There’s a lot of disagreement online about the math and the details, but most ecologists agree that the lakes are drained into a putrid furnace by gibbering devils with dollar signs dancing in their eyes.”
Ad publicist Ellen Reese added that the trio of lakes consumed were not particularly attractive or picturesque.” Reese rated the lakes a 6 out of 10, comparing them to actors like “Kevin James, or Felicity with short hair.” Reese added, “My assistant visited one of the lakes. He said there was a lot of bugs.”
The commercial also saved money over traditional productions, which hire large crews to build sets, operate equipment, and organize an efficient shoot. Budgets can quickly reach a million dollars or more. “That’s just pouring money down the drain and right into the pockets of a bunch of people with families. Thanks to AI, we can finally stop that,” said Reese.
When asked if greener AI would delay, or even prevent, an eventual environmental collapse, Webb laughed.
“Of course not. But it means we can generate far more AI content in the little time we have left. And that’s good news for investors.”
