A new Google Workspace commercial opens with the line "Group project, but make it 1776," depicting the founding fathers using Google's collaboration tools and Gemini to draft the Declaration of Independence. Ben Franklin texts Thomas Jefferson, who transcribes a photo into a Google Doc using AI; Franklin and John Adams edit in suggestion mode, Gemini schedules a meeting and takes notes during a Google Meet call, and a tool the article refers to as "Nano Banana" designs a U.S. seal featuring a turkey. The ad ends with the founders asking Gemini whether to give King George III edit access to the Declaration.
Verge weekend editor Terrence O'Brien describes the spot as "ill-advised, corny, and just plain dumb," arguing it should make "Americans of every political stripe" want to throw their devices against the wall. He also asks how Gemini would have responded to questions about women's voting rights, slavery, or Manifest Destiny.
CUNY history professor Angus Johnston, writing on Bluesky, added that "Even in a corny fantasy joke, it's impossible to make the case that AI is a useful tool for political organizing, writing, or human collaboration."