J. Crew's AI Ads Are So Realistic They Almost Tricked Everyone – Here's How They Were Exposed

Fashion brand J. Crew has faced backlash for allegedly using AI in its latest campaign. While the ads aim to mimic the nostalgic vibe of the brand's iconic '90s advertising, a closer look reveals odd discrepancies and visual glitches that point to AI-generated content.

The '90s produced some of the best advertisements ever, known for their creativity and wit. J. Crew was part of that era, but these new ads feel like a weak imitation, trying too hard to recapture past glory without the authenticity.

The ads in question feature a preppy '90s style, promoting J. Crew's new collaboration with skate brand Vans. One image shows a model on a bike, inspired by legendary photographer Bill Cunningham, while others echo old J. Crew campaigns. At first glance, they seem harmless, but lifestyle blog Blackbird Spyplane investigated and found numerous "telltale glitches," such as distorted clothing and nonsensical elements.

After criticism emerged, J. Crew added a credit to their social media posts, calling the work "digital art" by Instagram user @samfinn.studio. Blackbird Spyplane revealed that the artist, AI. S.A.M, describes themselves as an "AI photographer" who blends reality with artificiality to challenge perceptions of authenticity.

Fans expressed disappointment, with comments like "This is creatively bankrupt" and "AI is not digital art, it's digital art theft." Some vowed to boycott the brand, seeing it as a lazy alternative to hiring human talent.

The most concerning aspect is how convincing the AI campaign was; without Blackbird Spyplane's expose, it might have gone unnoticed. AI advertising is becoming more common, from subway stations to magazines like Vogue. While the trend is likely to grow with advancing technology, many people resist it, showing that audiences still prefer human-made campaigns over AI-generated content, which offers a glimmer of hope for creativity.