You’re not imagining it; ads are getting smarter. They anticipate your needs, match your vibe, and sometimes feel like they’re reading your mind. Behind this magic? Artificial Intelligence. It’s no longer a futuristic idea; it’s happening now, reshaping how brands communicate with us in ways that feel surprisingly human.
A.I. is making traditional advertising more intuitive, dynamic, and impactful. It’s helping brands skip the guesswork, creating campaigns that truly resonate with their audiences. From hyper-personalized content to bold, data-driven storytelling, AI is the creative powerhouse many of today’s brands swear by.
In this post, we’re exploring 13 standout examples of AI in advertising. Let’s break down why they work, the tech behind them, and how they’re setting new standards for creativity and connection.
1. Coca-Cola’s “Create Real Magic” Campaign
Coca-Cola has stepped boldly into the future with their “Create Real Magic” campaign. Partnering with OpenAI’s GPT-4 and DALL-E, the brand invited artists worldwide to craft AI-generated artwork using its iconic branding elements, like the classic Coke bottle and vintage ad symbols. Source
What’s brilliant about this campaign is how it marries tradition with innovation. Coca-Cola gave participants access to their rich visual archives and let them remix history with cutting-edge AI tools. The result? A flood of striking digital art that feels both familiar and fresh. The campaign does more than showcase cool tech; it builds a deeper connection with younger, tech-savvy audiences.
2. Nike’s “Never Done Evolving” Campaign
What makes this campaign so genius is how it blends nostalgia with innovation. Fans got to see Serena’s evolution as an athlete in a way that was totally fresh and unexpected. It wasn’t just about honoring her legacy; it was about showing how far both Serena and Nike have come.
3. Heinz’s “A.I. Ketchup” Campaign
Heinz, the ketchup icon we all know, decided to test a theory: when people think “ketchup,” do they picture Heinz? To find out, they teamed up with DALL-E 2, an AI image generator, and asked it to visualize “ketchup.” The results? Almost every image resembled Heinz’s signature bottle, even with prompts like “Renaissance Ketchup Bottle” and “Ketchup Tarot Card.” Source
This campaign brilliantly showcased Heinz’s dominance in the ketchup world. It was a clever way to let technology highlight their brand’s iconic status without overt self-promotion. Heinz didn’t stop there. They expanded the campaign by inviting social media users to submit their own prompts and share the AI-generated images. This interactive element not only engaged their audience but also created a buzz that spread across digital platforms.
4. Starbucks’ “Deep Brew” Initiative
But Deep Brew isn’t just about making your coffee experience smoother; it’s also a game-changer behind the scenes. The AI optimizes store operations by predicting customer traffic patterns, ensuring that each location is adequately staffed and stocked. This level of efficiency means baristas can focus more on crafting your favorite drinks and less on juggling inventory or schedules. It’s a seamless blend of technology and human touch, enhancing the overall Starbucks experience.
5. Sephora’s AI-Powered Beauty Experiences
Swipe through hundreds of shades of lipstick, blush, and more while seeing exactly how it’ll look on your face in real-time. No guesswork, no messy testers, just a customized experience right from your phone. Their Color IQ system scans your skin tone to pinpoint the exact foundation shade for you. It’s this seamless blend of technology and personalization that has made Sephora the gold standard in beauty retail, proving that when tech meets self-expression, magic happens.
6. BMW’s “The Ultimate AI Masterpiece” Campaign
Leave it to BMW to turn a car into a moving piece of art. In their “The Ultimate AI Masterpiece” campaign, they blended centuries of art history with cutting-edge technology to create something truly unforgettable. Source
Here’s how it worked: BMW collaborated with creative technologist Nathan Shipley and art collector Gary Yeh to feed an AI over 50,000 images spanning 900 years of art history. Then, they added works from contemporary artists connected to BMW’s cultural initiatives.
The AI processed this mix of old and new to create entirely original artwork, which was then projected onto the sleek surface of the 8 Series Gran Coupé. What makes this campaign a stroke of genius is how it bridges the gap between tradition and innovation. It’s not just a car; it’s a dynamic showcase of what happens when art meets AI.
7. L’Oréal’s Generative AI Lab
L’Oréal is proving that beauty and tech make the ultimate power couple. With their Generative AI Lab, they’ve partnered with NVIDIA and WPP Open to transform how digital marketing works in the beauty world. From creating stunning visuals to automating personalized campaigns, L’Oréal is using AI to shake up the industry in ways we didn’t know we needed. Source
The standout initiative, CreAItech, lets L’Oréal experiment with generative AI in a controlled environment. Think of it as a creative playground where the tech designs custom content, improves media planning, and even influences product development. What’s genius here is how L’Oréal is blending cutting-edge tech with their rich expertise in beauty. They’re setting a new standard for personalized customer experiences, proving that AI can amplify creativity and make every interaction feel tailored.
8. Dove’s “The Code” Campaign
Dove has always been about real beauty, and with “The Code,” they’re doubling down on their mission to keep it
To back this up, Dove launched the Real Beauty Prompt Playbook, a free tool for creators and brands. It’s designed to help them use AI ethically and create content that celebrates diversity and authenticity. This is especially important when Dove’s research shows that 39% of women feel pressured to change their appearance because of the hyper-perfect images they see online. By addressing these issues head-on, Dove is helping reframe what beauty looks like in the digital age.
9. Spotify’s “Only You” Campaign
Spotify knows that your music taste is as unique as your fingerprint, and they celebrated that individuality with their “Only You” campaign. Powered by AI, this campaign dives into your listening habits to craft a personalized story that’s so you. Source
Think custom playlists, quirky insights like your most-streamed artists, and even surprising pairings that show just how eclectic your musical taste really is. Your favorite genres, guilty pleasure songs, and unexpected artist combos are wrapped into a fun, shareable experience. “Only You” nailed it by making personalization exciting and social. People couldn’t wait to share their results on Instagram or Twitter, showing off their musical quirks.
10. McDonald’s AI-Generated “The Perfect Fried Chicken” Campaign
McDonald’s Thailand took a bold step into the future by teaming up with AI to discover what makes the perfect fried chicken. They started by consulting ChatGPT to understand customer preferences, then used Midjourney to create mouth-watering images based on those insights. Source
The result? A campaign that not only showcased tantalizing visuals but also resonated with what customers crave. This innovative approach allowed McDonald’s to tap into AI’s potential to decode and deliver on customer desires. The success of this campaign highlights the power of AI in creating content that truly connects with audiences.
11. Coca-Cola’s AI-Generated Holiday Campaign
Coca-Cola’s holiday ads are the stuff of legend, and in 2024, they gave their classic “Holidays Are Coming” vibe a high-tech twist. Teaming up with cutting-edge AI studios, Coca-Cola created three short videos that reimagined their beloved 1995 holiday campaign. The twist? Each video featured AI-generated visuals tailored to reflect different cities, giving the iconic campaign a local and modern touch. Source
The results were bold—and yes, a little polarizing. Some loved the innovative spin, while others found the AI-crafted visuals a bit uncanny. But Coca-Cola showed they’re not afraid to experiment, blending AI’s efficiency with their signature festive warmth. It’s a daring step that sparked conversations and kept the brand at the forefront of holiday nostalgia.
12. Headway’s AI-Enhanced Ad Campaigns
Headway, the edtech startup from Ukraine, is proving that AI is a game-changer for anyone bold enough to try it. By integrating tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, and HeyGen, they’ve completely reimagined how they create and deliver ads. The result? A 40% boost in video ad returns and over 3.3 billion ad impressions in just six months. Not bad for a startup, right? Source
At first, Headway’s team was cautious about diving into AI, but CEO Anton Pavlovsky soon saw its massive potential. He even compared its transformative power to the internet and smartphones. Once the team got on board, they created a cross-functional AI squad to embed these tools across their marketing strategy.
13. Nike’s AI-Powered “By You” Campaign
Nike gets it—your kicks should be as unique as you are. That’s why they launched their “By You” campaign, putting AI to work to give customers a next-level personalization experience. This isn’t your average sneaker customization tool. Nike’s AI-powered platform lets you play with colors and materials and even add personal touches like inscriptions, all while seeing your creation come to life in real time. Source
Nike’s AI doesn’t just let you design; it makes the process seamless by suggesting trendy combos and tapping into your style preferences. The genius of “By You” lies in how it bridges individuality with brand loyalty.
AI Is Changing the Game—Are You Ready?
AI is more than just a buzzword—it’s the creative engine behind some of the most groundbreaking campaigns today. These 13 examples show us what’s possible when brands combine technology with bold storytelling and a deep understanding of their audience. The result? Ads that don’t just sell but stick. The brands that embrace AI today are the ones shaping the future of advertising tomorrow.
Ready to take your campaigns to the next level? At Thought Media, we’re all about turning big ideas into bold results. Let’s create something amazing together.
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