Coca-Cola's AI-Generated Holiday Commercial Faces Mixed Reactions

The remake of the iconic 1995 ad using AI technology has drawn criticism from artists and some consumers while others praise its creative innovation.

Coca-Cola's new holiday commercial, created using its Real Magic AI platform, reimagines the classic 1995 'Holidays Are Coming' ad with AI-generated visuals, including polar bears and festive trucks.
The ad has sparked criticism from artists and consumers, who argue that AI lacks the emotional depth of human creativity and accuse the company of prioritizing cost-cutting over artistic quality.
Coca-Cola tested multiple AI-generated versions of the ad from three creative studios, ultimately selecting a hyperrealistic approach that the company says aligns with the ad’s magical theme.
Some marketing experts and AI advocates believe the ad demonstrates the potential of generative AI for creative storytelling and microtargeted customization, despite the backlash.
Coca-Cola has a history of experimenting with AI in marketing, including last year's 'Masterpiece' ad and a five-year partnership with Microsoft to expand its use of generative AI tools.