UK AI Firm Narwhal Labs Accused of Sexism Over Controversial Ad Campaign
Narwhal Labs, a UK-based artificial intelligence company that recently secured £20 million in investment, faces backlash over an advertising campaign accused of misogyny and sexism. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has received multiple complaints regarding billboards displayed at Bristol Airport and online. One prominent ad features a woman with the tagline: “She outworks everyone. And she’ll never ask for a raise,” while another states she works 24/7 without HR requirements. Critics, including Rebecca Horne from the campaign group Pregnant Then Screwed, condemned the ads as “misogyny with a marketing budget,” arguing they reinforce toxic stereotypes about female labor being compliant and unpaid. Another ad featuring a black man also drew criticism for racial insensitivity. In response, Narwhal Labs stated it never intended to be offensive, claiming the campaign highlights the broader impact of AI on white-collar jobs rather than targeting specific demographics. The company is using the controversy to advocate for new legislation regarding AI transparency and worker reskilling. The ASA is currently assessing the complaints to determine if further regulatory action is warranted.
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UK AI Firm Narwhal Labs Accused of Sexism Over Controversial Ad Campaign
Narwhal Labs, a UK-based artificial intelligence company that recently secured £20 million in investment, faces backlash over an advertising campaign accused of misogyny and sexism. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has received multiple complaints regarding billboards displayed at Bristol Airport and online. One prominent ad features a woman with the tagline: “She outworks everyone. And she’ll never ask for a raise,” while another states she works 24/7 without HR requirements. Critics, including Rebecca Horne from the campaign group Pregnant Then Screwed, condemned the ads as “misogyny with a marketing budget,” arguing they reinforce toxic stereotypes about female labor being compliant and unpaid. Another ad featuring a black man also drew criticism for racial insensitivity. In response, Narwhal Labs stated it never intended to be offensive, claiming the campaign highlights the broader impact of AI on white-collar jobs rather than targeting specific demographics. The company is using the controversy to advocate for new legislation regarding AI transparency and worker reskilling. The ASA is currently assessing the complaints to determine if further regulatory action is warranted.
The Guardian