Skechers Continues to Generate Subpar AI Advertisements
In the ever-evolving world of advertising, the Skechers 'Uno' sneakers advertisement has stirred up a storm of controversy. The ad, posted on Twitter on July 31, 2025, is not the first AI-generated ad from Skechers, but it has certainly raised eyebrows due to its perceived lack of quality and human touch.
The ad features an image of a blonde girl squatting on a lantern-lined street, with a generically beautiful 'Instagram' face. Critics have labelled it as an obvious AI-generated ad, with its design reminiscent of basic AI-generated images. This has sparked a wave of criticism on social media and design communities, with many deeming it sloppy, unprofessional, and lacking creativity.
The Skechers brand has a history of using AI in advertising, but the refusal to use human illustrators in some ads has been singled out as a negative example. This has raised questions about AI regulation and ethical standards in advertising, as the overreliance on AI without human oversight or artistic quality can lead to poorly executed ads that fail to engage or resonate meaningfully with audiences.
The controversy is not unique to Skechers. The use of AI in advertising has been a recurring issue, with brands experimenting by merging fashion with technology. However, the backlash against Skechers’ ad highlights the tension between AI’s potential and its pitfalls—especially when it results in what critics describe as "soulless" imagery lacking creativity, emotional connection, or professional design integrity.
Last year, Skechers used AI for a double-page spread in Vogue, but the ad's poor quality has once again brought the issue to the forefront. The ad has been widely noticed and discussed due to its poor quality, with the Skechers 'Uno' sneakers advertisement contributing to the concerns about the state of AI ads in the industry.
As the use of AI in advertising is currently in a state of flux, the controversy surrounding Skechers' ad serves as a cautionary tale. It is a troubling reflection of the potential future consequences of unregulated AI use in advertising, highlighting the need for stricter guidelines and ethical standards to ensure the quality, creativity, and audience trust in AI-generated ads.
- The lack of human touch in the Skechers 'Uno' sneakers advertisement, a 3D designed AI-generated image, has sparked a wave of criticism, Questioning the ethical standards and regulatory oversight in the use of AI in advertising.
- The brand's history of using AI in design, while experimenting with fashion technology, has resulted in a controversial ad criticized for its unprofessional, sloppy, and uninspiring layout, evoking images that lack emotional connection and creative energy.
- The image, featuring a blonde girl, squatting on a lantern-lined street, echoes basic AI-generated images, drawing attention to the need for AI designers to infuse artistic skill and creativity into their work.
- Artists, illustrators, and designers advocate for a balance in the industry, stressing the importance of integrating both AI and human design to ensure the ads are well-executed and resonate meaningfully with audiences.
- The failure to maintain design integrity has made critics question AI's role in the creative process, as technology should aim to complement and enhance human creativity rather than replacing it.
- As technology advances, it is crucial to establish guidelines and ethical standards that prioritize the quality, creativity, and professionalism of AI-generated ads to ensure a positive user experience and sustained audience trust.
- Brands like Skechers should take this opportunity to learn from the controversy and collaborate with creative designers and artists, leveraging AI as an instrument rather than a replacement, to produce compelling, emotionally resonant, and engaging advertisements that reflect both technology's potential and human touch.
