A.1. Sauce is seizing the moment after Linda McMahon's 'AI' gaffe
A.1./Instagram; 2025 ASU+GSV Summit/Youtube
- Secretary of Education Linda McMahon referred to AI as "A1" during a panel this week.
- A.1.'s marketing team jumped in to savor the moment.
- The brand created an image of a bottle with a new label: "For education purposes only."
Linda McMahon may have meant artificial intelligence — but steak sauce brand A.1. heard opportunity.
After the Secretary of Education repeatedly referred to artificial intelligence as "A1" on a panel this week, the brand jumped in to savor the moment.
"You heard her. Every school should have access to A.1.," the brand wrote in a Friday Instagram post, alongside an image of their iconic bottle slapped with a new label: "For education purposes only."
The big slogan across the graphic read: "Agree. Best to start them early."
McMahon made the slip while speaking at the ASU+GSV Summit, a conference on the future of education and work. She was on a panel discussing the role of AI in the workforce — but things took a saucy turn.
"You know, AI development — I mean, how can we educate at the speed of light if we don't have the best technology around to do that?" she said. The former CEO of WWE used the correct abbreviation for artificial intelligence, before pivoting into the world of condiments.
McMahon said she heard about "a school system that's going to start making sure that first graders, or even pre-Ks, have A1 teaching in every year." McMahon continued: "That's a wonderful thing!"
"Kids are sponges. They just absorb everything," she added. "It wasn't all that long ago that it was, 'We're going to have internet in our schools!' Now let's see A1 and how can that be helpful."
McMahon and A.1. did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment.
It's the latest example of a brand seizing a quick moment of fame on social media.
Coffee Mate's marketing team sprang into action after the season finale of "The White Lotus," creating a semi-viral post that played off a key moment from the show.
The coffee creamer brand worked with the hit HBO series on two limited-edition flavors ahead of the latest season: piña colada and Thai iced coffee. An executive said his team had no idea that piña coladas would be featured on the hit show's finale on Sunday night.