The use of artificial intelligence in advertising has sparked controversy as major brands experiment with AI-generated content, potentially risking consumer backlash and brand reputation.
Recent controversy: Skechers faces criticism over a full-page advertisement in Vogue’s December issue that appears to use AI-generated artwork.
- The ad displays common AI generation artifacts including distorted faces, illegible text, and inconsistent clothing details
- A viral TikTok video by content creator polishlaurapalmer brought attention to the apparent use of AI in the advertisement
- Skechers has remained silent on the matter, declining to respond to media inquiries about the use of AI in their marketing
Technical indicators: The advertisement exhibits several telltale signs that point to the use of generative AI technology in its creation.
- Background figures show facial distortions typical of AI-generated images
- Text elements in the advertisement appear garbled and unreadable
- One model’s dress shows unexplained structural inconsistencies common in AI artwork
- The featured models aren’t even wearing the Skechers products being advertised
Market implications: Consumer sentiment toward AI-generated content appears increasingly negative, particularly when used by profitable companies as a cost-cutting measure.
- A July study revealed that merely mentioning “artificial intelligence” in product marketing can negatively impact consumer perception
- The Coca-Cola Company faced similar criticism for using AI in their holiday advertising campaign
- Marketing professionals report internal conflicts over the use of AI versus maintaining quality standards
- The trend represents a broader tension between cost efficiency and maintaining brand authenticity
Public reaction: Social media users and industry professionals have voiced strong opposition to the perceived low-quality output and ethical implications.
- TikTok creator polishlaurapalmer stated the ad made her “hate” the brand and discouraged future purchases
- Reddit users criticized the advertisement’s disconnect between its high-end aesthetic and the actual product
- Industry professionals express concern about clients prioritizing cost savings over quality
- The controversy highlights growing consumer awareness of and resistance to AI-generated content
Future trajectory: Despite mounting consumer skepticism, continued investment in AI technology suggests similar marketing approaches may persist.
- The significant financial investment in AI development indicates companies will likely continue experimenting with the technology
- The growing backlash could force brands to be more transparent about their use of AI in marketing materials
- The incident raises questions about the balance between innovation and maintaining brand trust
Recent Stories
DOE fusion roadmap targets 2030s commercial deployment as AI drives $9B investment
The Department of Energy has released a new roadmap targeting commercial-scale fusion power deployment by the mid-2030s, though the plan lacks specific funding commitments and relies on scientific breakthroughs that have eluded researchers for decades. The strategy emphasizes public-private partnerships and positions AI as both a research tool and motivation for developing fusion energy to meet data centers' growing electricity demands. The big picture: The DOE's roadmap aims to "deliver the public infrastructure that supports the fusion private sector scale up in the 2030s," but acknowledges it cannot commit to specific funding levels and remains subject to Congressional appropriations. Why...
Oct 17, 2025Tying it all together: Credo’s purple cables power the $4B AI data center boom
Credo, a Silicon Valley semiconductor company specializing in data center cables and chips, has seen its stock price more than double this year to $143.61, following a 245% surge in 2024. The company's signature purple cables, which cost between $300-$500 each, have become essential infrastructure for AI data centers, positioning Credo to capitalize on the trillion-dollar AI infrastructure expansion as hyperscalers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Elon Musk's xAI rapidly build out massive computing facilities. What you should know: Credo's active electrical cables (AECs) are becoming indispensable for connecting the massive GPU clusters required for AI training and inference. The company...
Oct 17, 2025Vatican launches Latin American AI network for human development
The Vatican hosted a two-day conference bringing together 50 global experts to explore how artificial intelligence can advance peace, social justice, and human development. The event launched the Latin American AI Network for Integral Human Development and established principles for ethical AI governance that prioritize human dignity over technological advancement. What you should know: The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, the Vatican's research body for social issues, organized the "Digital Rerum Novarum" conference on October 16-17, combining academic research with practical AI applications. Participants included leading experts from MIT, Microsoft, Columbia University, the UN, and major European institutions. The conference...