Cliff Tan Apologizes After Controversial AI Promotion

Cliff Tan, an influential figure in interior design on YouTube, recently apologized to his subscribers after promoting an artificial intelligence company. His channel, "Dear Modern," boasts an audience of 2.4 million subscribers, while his associated TikTok account has 3.6 million followers. In a video posted on Monday, Tan expressed his regrets regarding a promotion that disappointed many fans.

In the video, Tan stated, "Yesterday, I made a video about AI, and it disappointed a lot of you. I'm really sorry for that." This statement comes shortly after Hank Green, another respected internet personality, also had to apologize for excessive use of AI in his video research, subsequently announcing a new policy for his channel.

Tan's case involves a paid advertisement for "Dreamina," a Chinese AI company. This platform allows users to create animated videos from simple written instructions. In the ad, Tan demonstrates how he uploads his hand-drawn sketches to transform them into animated floor plans using the software.

Despite using his own drawings as a basis, Tan clarified in the video that he does not appreciate AI because it "makes you forget to use your brain." However, this video was quickly inundated with negative comments. One notable comment, which received 1,700 likes, said: "No, Mr. Cliff. Please. Don't sell yourself to AI." Other criticisms targeted Dreamina, a company owned by ByteDance.

In a later comment, Tan explained that he thought the software could be "really useful to other designers." He added, "I just don't want you, with good intentions, to be martyrs in a world that increasingly leaves us behind."

As tech companies continue to promote AI as a central element of daily life, voices are rising against its potential impact on critical thinking skills. A survey conducted by Workday in 2025 revealed that nearly half of the participants feared that AI could lead to a decline in these essential skills.

AI also poses a threat to the job market, with companies across various sectors seeking to integrate this technology into their processes. Last year, the British Institute of Interior Design highlighted the growing presence of AI in this field. Stephen Dick, founder of an interior design firm in the UK, told the institute that "the possibilities are impressive" with text-to-image visualization tools. He added that many designers are already using these tools.

Neither Dreamina, based in Beijing, nor Cliff Tan, based in Singapore, immediately responded to requests for comments made outside their usual working hours.