In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Google has released a new advertisement that imagines how the Founding Fathers would have collaborated using Google Workspace.
The commercial, featuring the tagline “Group project, but make it 1776,” portrays Thomas Jefferson as he drafts the Declaration. He receives an urgent text from Ben Franklin, initiating a humorous, tech-driven collaboration. Suggestions are made through Google Docs, a meeting is set up via Google Calendar and takes place through Google Meet (with attendees humorously turning off their cameras), and the events culminate with e-signatures, followed by a festive display of fireworks.
Reflecting the tech-savvy nature of 2026, the ad incorporates AI. The fictional Founding Fathers utilize Google’s AI tools to visualize options for the national seal, while an AI assistant takes notes during the meeting. They even consult the chatbot for guidance before dismissing King George III’s request for access to documents.
The tone of the ad is light-hearted, with moments of levity, such as Sam Adams suggesting, “Can we settle this over beers?” Unlike other recent advertisements that heavily feature AI, this one maintains a subtler approach. Additionally, there are no implications that AI could enhance the actual text of the Declaration of Independence; rather, the most technologically advanced aspect appears to be the video’s polished visual quality, reminiscent of AI-generated content.
Reactions to the ad have generally been favorable on platforms like YouTube and Instagram. However, there has been significant criticism on Bluesky, with some viewers labeling the ad as “cringey” and “astonishingly tone deaf.” The AI theme received particular scrutiny, with historians like Angus Johnston pointing out that the portrayal of AI’s usefulness in this context is minimal. “Even in a corny fantasy joke, it’s impossible to argue that AI is effective for political organizing, writing, or collaboration,” he remarked.
