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

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

Her 11 posts so far have 🌳included comments such as “let's chat tech wonders, the future, racing, and all things econerdy. S🅺ending tech hugs and virtual high fives to my new community”.

ಌBut the criticism centres around Mahindra generating an AI influencer rather than hiring a real person.

The backlash included arguments to suggest that Mahindra’s use of AI technology was, rather than inclusive, actually excluding 𝓡real women who dream of a career in motorsports.

Not long after, Ava was gone.

CEO and team principal Frederic Bertrand ex♔plained: “Nurturing diversity, inclusion♔ and innovation is at the heart of Mahindra Racing. 

“Our AI inf🎐luencer program was de⛦signed with this innovation in mind.

“Your comme♓nts hold tremendous value. We have listened, underst🎶ood and decided to discontinue the project.”