AI x $ = Ads

Desperate for returns on its gargantuan investments, the AI industry is now taking a page from the social media playbook and has set its sights on monetizing consumer attention by integrating advertising into their chatbot interactions.

The AI advertising avalanche

Artificial intelligence isn’t going to cure cancer, but it is going to fill human culture with infinite quantities of inescapable, thinly disguised and ruthlessly targeted advertising .

Junk in, junk out

Public health experts are calling for the next Federal Government to take action to stop junk food ads targeting children, after new research showed that the issue is a concern for 85% of parents and caregivers.

Truth in political advertising

Misleading political advertisements in the lead-up to an election campaign are perfectly legal and already being used to shape the outcome of the coming federal election.

AI in advertising

AI is a hammer in search of a nail and its main use may turn out to be – for better or worse – mass produced but personalised advertising.

Follow the brand

Brands which struggle to connect with younger generations through traditional advertising are increasingly tempted to take social stands to sell themselves but these cynical tactics can backfire, not least in the sorely divided USA.

Why you need adblock

The Australian Ad Observatory project is recording thousands of harmful or illegal adverts on Facebook promoting scams, gambling, alcohol and unhealthy food.

Guilt tripping motherhood

New mums face a relentless barrage of advertising but many of these products lack scientific backing and some may even damage their physical and mental well-being.

Apple crush

Apple sparked outrage across the internet after releasing an advert for its new iPad Pro which unintentionally served as a dystopian vision for AI and big tech crushing, absorbing and appropriating human creativity.

How green was my advertising?

A study of more than 8,000 ads served more than 20,000 times in people’s Facebook feeds found that many green claims are vague, meaningless or unsubstantiated and that consumers are potentially being deceived.

The rise of the ‘virtual influencer’

Just when you thought the world couldn’t possibly get any stupider, AI generated ‘influencers’ are now being used to peddle products to unsuspecting or uncaring social media fans.

Game, set and greenwash

Australian sport is propped up by gambling, junk food and fossil fuel companies looking to peddle their ways or “greenwash” their image.