Generative AI has officially moved from "cool experiment" to "business necessity" in advertising. With Meta planning full automation by 2026 and the AI marketing market hitting $47.32 billion, we're witnessing the biggest shift in how ads are created, targeted, and optimized since the internet itself. But here's the thing – it's not all smooth sailing.
Three months ago, I watched an AI system create a better ad campaign in 15 minutes than my team could produce in two weeks. That's when I knew everything had changed. Not "will change" or "might change"—had already changed.
Here's what nobody saw coming: while we were all debating whether AI would replace copywriters, it quietly became the invisible hand behind nearly every ad you see. By June 2025, generative AI isn't just helping with advertising—it's running the show. And honestly? Most consumers have no idea.