5 AI advertising controversies that turned heads this year, from Meta's AI granny to Coca-Cola's shape-shifting trucks (www.businessinsider.com)

In 2025, the integration of AI in advertising brought both excitement and controversy, highlighting the challenges brands face when shifting away from traditional marketing methods. Major companies like McDonald's, Coca-Cola, and H&M have encountered backlash for their AI-generated ads, which often strayed into awkward or "uncanny" territory. A November survey revealed that 39% of U.S. consumers viewed AI-generated advertising negatively, while only 18% felt positively about it. This skepticism prompted a marketing counter-trend, wherein brands ironically criticized AI's role in creativity, suggesting a pushback against automating the advertising process. Notable incidents included McDonald's poorly received satirical holiday ad, which was criticized for its cynical tone and withdrawn after backlash. Coca-Cola's AI ads raised eyebrows for their inconsistency, while H&M's introduction of digital twin models sparked debates about ethics and job displacement in the fashion industry. Other brands, like True Classic, found their campaigns unwittingly disrupted by Meta's automated ad generation, leading to unintended and potentially damaging marketing outcomes. The year's controversies illustrate how, while AI offers innovative possibilities for creativity in advertising, it also necessitates a careful approach to avoid missteps and public dissent.