A tech company based in Bristol has faced backlash over advertising at Bristol Airport that critics have branded misogynistic. The adverts, promoting an AI communications team, featured a female AI employee with the tagline: 'outworks everyone. And she’ll never ask for a pay rise.'
The campaign, launched by Narwhal Labs, described the female AI as 'always on, never sick and no HR required'. In contrast, a male AI was promoted with the line: 'He’ll find them, call them, and follow up. While you sleep.'
Social media users condemned the adverts as sexist, prompting the airport to remove them. A spokesperson said: 'The third-party company that arranges advertising at the airport removed the advert after concerns were raised regarding the content.'
Narwhal Labs CEO Luke Sartain acknowledged the frustration, stating: 'It was never our intention for the billboards to be perceived as misogynistic or racist, and we take that concern seriously.'
However, the controversy also sparked a wider discussion about casual sexism online, with some comments on news articles resorting to outdated stereotypes. One comment read: 'Only thing is she won't make your tea,' drawing criticism for perpetuating a culture that demeans women.
