Valentino proves AI has no place in advertising

"Italian fashion house Valentino has received mounting backlash after posting a series of AI-generated adverts on Instagram. What was billed as a 'digital creative project' instead set off a minor revolt in its comments section, where followers lined up to dub the visuals as "cheap", "tacky", "lazy", and perhaps the most cutting barb for a couture house - "embarrassing". The surreal reels, which splice models with floating logos, gold embellishments and body parts melting into dizzying geometric swirls, were meant to make a case for digital arts."

"Bring back the human-made ad Dr Rebecca Swift, SVP creative at Getty Images, said the episode reflects broader customer discomfort. "The negative reaction to Valentino's recent handbags advert validates what our own research has found - consumers predominantly view AI-created works as less valuable than human-made images." "Even full transparency about AI use wasn't enough to win them over", she added."

Valentino posted AI-generated adverts on Instagram that provoked a backlash from followers who called the visuals "cheap", "tacky", "lazy" and "embarrassing". The surreal reels splice models with floating logos, gold embellishments and body parts melting into dizzying geometric swirls, aiming to make a case for digital arts but prompting comparisons to a Frankenstein collage. Clear labeling as AI-generated did not reduce criticism, and the backlash grew after a second AI ad. Research indicates consumers view AI-created works as less valuable than human-made images, and transparency alone does not assuage concerns. The ad industry faces tension between rapid AI integration and rising consumer suspicion, risking over-processed, uncanny advertising.

Read at City AM