Watch the viral 'ad' that imagines aged Elon Musk, Sam Altman, and Jeff Bezos promoting a creepy energy source for AI

A striking new advertisement from the Belgian AI startup AiCandy imagines a future where humans fuel artificial intelligence through group workouts. Set in the year 2036, the video features AI-rendered versions of tech giants Sam Altman, Elon Musk, and Jeff Bezos, humorously commenting on a world transformed by AI's demand for energy. The ad depicts a dystopian scenario where, by 2030, a staggering 80% of the workforce has been displaced by machines. In this world, AI Musk notes that while humans may lack jobs and money, they possess an abundance of time, which they can use to generate energy through cycling and rowing classes at a fictional company named “Energym.” The tagline suggests a dramatic twist: utilizing human energy to power the very machines that have taken their livelihoods. Despite its dark humor, the video has struck a chord with audiences, amassing over 4 million views on Instagram and numerous reposts across social media platforms, including X. Some responses reflect a sense of urgency about the themes presented, with Senator Chris Murphy noting that it doesn't feel like a mere parody. AiCandy's co-founders, Hans Buyse and Jan De Loore, expressed their surprise at the video's viral success. Initially, they faced skepticism regarding the energy consumption of AI technology, prompting them to create content that highlights clean, human-generated energy. The idea had been shelved until De Loore suggested using the personas of aging tech moguls to revisit it. This creative approach cleverly combines fitness trends with the existential dilemmas faced by today's youth. Following the ad’s success, the founders find their inboxes flooded with collaboration offers, including one from the Dor Brothers, a notable AI video production firm. However, they’re still holding out for a potential collaboration with Elon Musk himself.