Fri, 14 Nov 2025

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 Will AI mean better adverts or 'creepy slop'?

Advertisers are using AI to personalise adverts but not everyone agrees that's a good idea.
For example, a person who has been searching for jeans online may start seeing sponsored ads featuring those same jeans, but with content tailored to their personality. The AI can also analyze what brands already know about people, such as their location, age, hobbies, and interests, and overlay it with the inferred personality traits. Cheil UK CEO Chris Camacho says that this new approach is moving beyond demographic targeting and into a deeper emotional and psychological level of understanding individuals. Researchers have found that personalized AI ads can be more persuasive than traditional ads, but there are also concerns about data privacy and surveillance. Some experts argue that personalization may not always lead to better advertising outcomes, citing the potential for "creepy slop" that knows too much about an individual's intimate details. Others question whether people will accept this level of targeting and whether regulators will allow it. AI-personalized ads also raise ethical concerns, such as the potential for manipulation or influencing individuals' decisions. However, companies like Cheil UK are committed to using AI in an ethical manner to enhance connections between brands and individuals.
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