Taylor Swift's recent marketing campaign for her new album sparked controversy when fans speculated that AI-generated videos were being used. Despite evidence suggesting that at least one video utilized Google's SynthID tool, Swift's representatives did not confirm or deny its use. The backlash highlighted a broader trend where major companies like Google and Coca-Cola are increasingly adopting AI-generated ads. A survey by the Interactive Advertising Bureau indicated that about 30% of digital video ads this year will incorporate generative AI, with projections rising to 39% next year. AI in advertising has evolved significantly over the past few years. Initial attempts, like IBM's machine learning model for movie trailers or Lexus's AI-written scripts, were largely gimmicks. The Republican National Committee's ad using generative AI for still images in 2023 marked a turning point, demonstrating improved capabilities. Fast forward to June 2025, the Kalshi ad became the first major viral AI ad, produced cheaply with Google's Veo 3 model. Despite some initial backlash, consumer acceptance appears to be rising. Coca-Cola's recent AI ad received less criticism than previous efforts, and Google’s turkey ad went largely unnoticed as AI-generated. The production process for AI ads still requires significant human involvement. While AI can generate video clips, a human team is needed to refine these into polished ads. A typical workflow involves scriptwriting by a human, storyboarding with AI-generated images, and final editing by a human team. Though AI-generated ads offer cost and time efficiency, companies may still lean on traditional methods to differentiate themselves. For instance, BMW has released ads highlighting the authenticity of their vehicles in contrast to AI-generated content. This suggests a complex future for advertising where AI and traditional techniques coexist.