When it comes to moving images, nothing beats human storytelling, emotional depth, and strategic thinking. While AI isn’t replacing human creativity just yet, it’s becoming an essential tool for brands looking to push creative boundaries on a budget.
AI can streamline production, introduce fresh visual styles, and offer cost-effective alternatives to traditional high-budget shoots. But are consumers tired of AI-generated content? Maybe. Studies show that AI-gen ads are a turn off. But the technology is moving at such a pace that it’s becoming near impossible to tell the difference.
Take ByteDance’s OmniHuman model, which can turn a static image into a realistic, moving video—even making it sing. This is just the tip of the iceberg in AI-driven video advertising.
The creative industry is undergoing a seismic shift. AI-generated video ads are no longer just experimental – brands are embracing them as a core part of their storytelling. From hyper-realistic visuals to entirely AI-crafted narratives, the latest AI video ads prove that artificial intelligence is revolutionising the way brands engage with audiences. But what makes an AI-powered ad truly stand out? And how are brands pushing the limits of AI creativity while still maintaining human storytelling?
The Best AI video ads: pushing boundaries
Adidas Floral Spec Ad
One of the most talked about AI-generated ads is Blair Vermette’s speculative Adidas ‘Floral’ video. Created using RunwayML, Midjourney and Adobe, this AI-powered film showcases hyper-stylised floral fashion set to a Megan Thee Stallion track.
Coca-Cola’s Masterpiece
Coca-Cola blended AI with classic artwork to create Masterpiece, a campaign that saw famous paintings by Van Gogh and Warhol brought to life. Using AI-generated motion design, static artworks were transformed into a dynamic sequence.
Vodafone‘s Rhythm of Life
Created by Sleeper and filmmaker Sebastian Strasser, this spot for Vodafone shows how even people can be generated realistically using AI. ‘That’s why the Vodafone commercial we made is groundbreaking. There is a difference between making a whimsical trap video, unicorn holograms on Instagram or a dystopian short film about a suicidal robot. In all of these renderings, artificiality is part of the style and look. But if you take close-ups of real people with certain performances, viewers can even sense a fake twinkle in their eye.’
The role of human creativity in AI video production
While AI is a game-changer for video production, human storytelling remains essential and irrepolaceable AI can generate visually impressive content, but without human intuition, emotional depth, and strategic storytelling, these ads risk feeling hollow. The future of video advertising will be a fusion of AI and traditional production, with professionals combining real-life cinematography, AI-generated visuals, and digital artistry to push creative boundaries. However, AI alone can’t replicate the nuanced work of editors, music artists, and directors, whose experience shapes the final product.
As a creative agency, we believe the future lies in blending AI with human creativity—leveraging AI’s technical capabilities while ensuring content remains emotive, relatable, and brand-authentic.
Nina Postans
Nina is Managing Director at Skylark Media. She has written for Marketing Week, Advertising Week and Creative Review.