AI adverts from J. Crew were nearly deceptive enough to dupe me
In a move that has sparked controversy and criticism, fashion brand J. Crew has unveiled its latest campaign, which is reportedly AI-generated. The campaign, a collaboration with skate brand Vans, has been credited as "digital art" created by Instagram user @samfinn.studio.
The controversy surrounds the mock authenticity of AI advertising, which is increasingly being seen in various platforms, including subway stations and Vogue. The J. Crew campaign, in particular, has been described as a derivative pastiche of the brand's golden days, taking inspiration from legendary photographer Bill Cunningham and other sources. One image in the campaign even appears to mimic Cunningham's iconic style.
The alleged use of AI in the campaign has led to concerns about the authenticity of AI advertising and its place in the industry. Lifestyle blog Blackbird Spyplane discovered telltale glitches and weirdnesses in the campaign, such as janky garments and nonsensical appendages, which are believed to be the result of the AI used in the campaign.
Some Instagram users have vowed to boycott the brand, seeing the move as a lazy workaround to hiring human talent. The news that the campaign was AI-generated has disappointed many J. Crew fans, with comments such as "This is creatively bankrupt" and "AI is not digital art, it's digital art theft."
The artist behind the digital art, known as AI. S.A.M, claims to be an "AI photographer" who merges the real with the artificial. However, the artist's identity remains unspecified in the provided search results.
The increasing use of AI in advertising is expected to grow as the technology advances. However, the resistance to it suggests that human-made campaigns may still be preferred by many. Many audiences still value human-made campaigns over AI, as shown by the vocal resistance to the trend.
The J. Crew campaign attempts to replicate the '90s advertising style of the brand. Despite the controversy, the ads have been featured in various platforms, raising questions about the future of AI in advertising and its potential to fly under the radar without proper scrutiny. The exposé by Blackbird Spyplane on the J. Crew campaign has highlighted this issue.
In conclusion, J. Crew's decision to use AI in its latest campaign has sparked a heated debate about the role of AI in advertising. While the use of AI is expected to grow, the resistance to it suggests that human-made campaigns may still hold significant value for many.
