The Kwebbelkop AI Controversy began in 2023 when the veteran YouTuber Jordi van den Bussche announced he was stepping back and replacing his physical presence with an AI-generated avatar and voice. This decision sparked massive backlash across social media, as fans and critics argued that the 'soulless' AI lacked the personality and charm that built his channel. The meme culture surrounding this event focuses on the 'uncanny valley' effect of his digital double and serves as a broader commentary on the perceived threat of artificial intelligence replacing human creativity. It is widely used to mock low-effort automated content or to joke about how creators might look after being 'optimized' by algorithms.