The influencer🎉, named Ava, was intended to "showcase the team's journey in the ABB FIA ꧙Formula E World Championship, and towards a more sustainable future for our planet", Mahindra said when she was announced.

In the a𒉰ccompanying Instagram account, Ava referred to herself as a "Sustainable Tech Queen & Racing Rebel Robot" and “Fueling inclusion through AI innovation”.

Her 11 posts so far have included comments su✨ch as “let's chat tech wonders, the future, racing, and all things econerdy. Sending tech hugs and virtual high fives to my new community”.

But the﷽ criticism centres around Mahindra generating an AI influencer ratherꦑ than hiring a real person.

The backlash included arguments to suggest that Mahindra’s use of AI technology was, rather than inclusiꦉve, actually e🐼xcluding real women who dream of a career in motorsports.

Not long after, Ava was gone.

CEO and team principal Frederic Bertrand explained: “Nurturing diversity, inclusion and inno⛎vation i🍌s at the heart of Mahindra Racing. 

“Our AI influencer program was designed with this innovation i🐎n mind.

“Your commen♔ts hold tremendous value. We have listened, understood and decided to discontinue the project.”