A recent social media post by Benjamin De Kraker has highlighted the rapidly evolving landscape of advertising, showcasing the remarkable efficiency and low cost of AI-driven video ad production. De Kraker shared his experience, stating, "I played around with ((insert AI platform here)) and got this great video ad in like three hours. It cost me $20 and AI walked me through everything. Why should I hire you?" This personal account underscores a growing trend where artificial intelligence tools are democratizing content creation.
The emergence of AI video ad generators, such as Creatify, Invideo AI, Arcads, and Zebracat, allows users to produce high-quality video advertisements in minutes or hours, rather than days or weeks. These platforms offer features like AI actors, text-to-speech, and automated script generation, significantly reducing the need for traditional production teams and associated costs. Many tools offer plans ranging from free basic access to paid subscriptions, with some capable of generating ads for as little as $10-$40 per month, or even on a per-project basis like the $20 mentioned by De Kraker.
This technological shift is creating significant implications for the advertising industry, particularly for creative agencies and individual professionals. While AI automates repetitive and labor-intensive tasks, enabling faster production and A/B testing, it also raises concerns about job displacement. Forrester Research predicts that approximately 7.5% of agency jobs could be replaced by automation by 2030, with clerical, sales, and entry-level creative roles being most susceptible.
However, industry experts suggest that AI will augment human capabilities rather than entirely replace them. Creative directors and agency leaders are increasingly leveraging AI to enhance pitches, streamline workflows, and expand service offerings. The emphasis is shifting towards human creativity, strategic thinking, and emotional intelligence, which AI currently lacks. Agencies are adapting by integrating AI tools, with some forecasting the creation of new roles focused on AI ethics, prompt engineering, and advanced data analysis.
The cost-efficiency and speed demonstrated by AI platforms enable small businesses and individual creators to produce professional-grade advertisements without substantial investment. This development lowers the barrier to entry for marketing efforts, fostering a more competitive and dynamic advertising ecosystem. As AI continues to evolve, the industry faces a critical period of adaptation, necessitating a focus on upskilling and redefining the value proposition of human-led creative work.