In recent months, headlines have been filled with examples of brands experimenting with campaigns created using artificial intelligence. From large multinationals to emerging startups, the trend is clear: trying out AI advertising seems “modern” and efficient.
But behind this technological fever, there are increasingly more cases of striking failures, incoherent pieces, and even reputational crises. So-called AI advertising errors not only generate memes on social media: they can also be costly to a brand’s image and erode the trust of its audience.
In this article, we will analyze the most common mistakes in AI advertising, show recent examples, and explain why artisanal production in CGI, FOOH, and VFX remains the most solid alternative for brands that do not want to risk their reputation.
Automatic generation tools promise speed, low cost, and thousands of variations in seconds. Platforms such as Runway, MidJourney, and Stable Diffusion have made it possible for any marketing team to create striking visuals without the need for a large creative team.
However, reality shows that initial savings can become a long-term problem. AI advertising lacks cultural sensitivity, artistic judgment, and strategic capability. And that opens the door to mistakes that are as visible as they are damaging.
These failures are not anecdotal: they happen again and again because they respond to intrinsic limitations of the technology. Here are some of the most common mistakes in AI advertising:
Hands with six fingers, impossible objects, miscalculated reflections, or disproportionate bodies. AI generates results based on statistical patterns, not real-world logic.
A graphic error that a human artist would never allow can become the talk of social media. And what was supposed to be an aspirational advertisement becomes a source of ridicule.
Images produced by AI often share very recognizable styles: blurred backgrounds, unreal lighting, forced smiles. This causes different brands to end up looking alike.
The consequence is serious: your brand ceases to be unique and begins to fade into a sea of advertisements that appear to be cut from the same mold.
AI does not understand context or narrative. It can generate eye-catching visuals, but they may not fit with your brand values or your audience’s culture.
The result: an advertisement that may attract attention, but conveys the wrong message or is even offensive.
Most AI systems are trained using third-party images without permission. Using one of these pieces in a real campaign can lead to legal disputes over copyright.
AI advertising does not offer clear intellectual property guarantees, and that is a risk that few brands can afford to take.
A visual error can be corrected. A reputation crisis is harder to fix. When an AI-based campaign goes viral for the wrong reasons, the damage to public trust is real and lasting.
Real-life cases help illustrate what is at stake.
These errors in AI advertising not only provoke laughter: they also erode the perception of professionalism of the brands involved.
Faced with the risks of AI advertising, craftsmanship in CGI, FOOH, and VFX offers crucial advantages:
A creative team ensures that every detail is taken care of and that the final piece faithfully represents the brand’s identity. There is no room for “statistical errors” or absurd distortions.
Each handcrafted campaign is designed from scratch, tailored to the brand’s values, history, and audience. This ensures a unique result that cannot be replicated with an automatic generator.
Design is not just aesthetics: it is storytelling, it is emotion. A creative person understands the cultural context, the codes of the audience, and the communication strategy behind each visual.
AI, on the other hand, only “guesses” what it should generate based on previous data.
Handcrafted production ensures that intellectual property belongs to the brand, without the risk of lawsuits for using material generated from unauthorized sources.
Although it may seem cheaper, AI advertising has hidden costs that often exceed the initial savings:
In the end, cheap ends up being expensive. And in advertising, where first impressions are critical, risking an unprofessional image can be devastating.
We live in an environment where more and more brands are experimenting with AI. That means the saturation of “generic” images will grow even further.
In this scenario, true differentiation will come from the human touch. A handcrafted campaign does not just produce attractive visuals: it creates a concept, generates conversation, and leaves a lasting impression.
If everyone uses the same algorithms, the only thing that will stand out is what is done by hand.
Errors in AI advertising are not isolated cases: they are symptoms of the limitations of a technology that, although useful for certain processes, cannot replace human work in creating memorable campaigns.
Brands that want to protect their reputation and stand out in a saturated market must commit to craftsmanship. Because a campaign with soul, created by people who understand strategy, emotion, and narrative, will always be more valuable than a generic piece generated by an algorithm.
Human creativity not only prevents mistakes: it builds identity. And in a world where automation abounds, authenticity is what makes the difference.
Do you want your brand to avoid the risks of AI advertising and stand out with unique, safe, and memorable campaigns? Write to us and together we will design your company’s next great visual story.
