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Australian Retailer Criticized Over AI Advertisements as Experts Warn of Increasing Usage

9News

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Date Published
16 Jan 2026
Priority Score
2
Australian
Yes
Created
16 Jan 2026, 03:30 am

Authors (1)

Description

<p>Consumers have called out Jeanswest for its extensive use of generative AI in advertising online.</p>

Summary

The article outlines the backlash faced by Australian retailer Jeanswest for its extensive use of generative AI in advertising, highlighting a broader trend predicted by industry experts. While AI in advertising can provide efficiency and authenticity, consumer frustration with current implementations underscores challenges in maintaining relatable marketing. This topic is relevant to discussions on AI governance, particularly in ensuring transparency and management of AI technologies in commercial sectors. However, the piece lacks specific focus on existential AI risks or significant advancements in AI capabilities, and does not address Australian policy specific to AI safety or catastrophic risk reduction.

Body

Less than three months ago, industry experts told 9news.com.au the use of generative AI in advertising will be much more common in the future.Jeanswest has proven them right far sooner than expected.The fashion retailer, which has gone into administration twice in the last six years, has been called out by consumers for using generative AI extensively in advertising online.READ MORE: Unwelcome sign nasty interest rate shock is on the wayMany promotional images on the Jeanswest website appear to be AI-generated. (Jeanswest)Instagram videos show AI models posing in digital versions of Jeanswest styles, and the brand's website is stacked with AI-generated photos and videos.9news.com.au has contacted Jeanswest for comment.A Jeanswest customer support representative confirmed the content was AI-generated in a statement to the Sydney Morning Herald.READ MORE: Man wounded in early morning shooting in SydneyThe representative told the SMH that AI is one of many tools in the brand's creative workflow and said it is dedicated to maintaining authenticity and relatability.Product photos on the Jeanswest website do not appear to be AI-generated or altered.Consumers have voiced frustration and disappointment with the brand's heavy use of generative AI on social media, calling it "garbage".A screenshot from an AI-generated video posted to the official Jeanswest Instagram account. (Instagram/@jeanswest)One comment on an AI video on the Jeanswest Instagram page called for the people responsible for approving the clip to be fired.On TikTok, an Australian user called content on the brand's website "AI slop"."At the moment, there are a lot of brands trying to use AI and using it in a really clumsy way that's getting a lot of ridicule," consumer psychologist, creative strategist, and Thinkerbell founder Adam Ferrier previously told 9news.com.au.But AI can be a powerful marketing tool when used well and Ferrier said it will become more common in advertising as brands become better at using it.READ MORE: European troops arrive in Greenland as talks with US highlight 'disagreement' over island's futureUniversity of Sydney Business School lecturer and consumer psychologist Dr Christina Anthony said it's likely that consumers will not react as strongly to AI ad campaigns as they become more normalised."And most brands won't abandon generative AI as the efficiencies are too valuable," she previously told 9news.com.au.Instead, they'll work towards making AI content that feels more authentic and human-centred – so much so that it may become undetectable.New data has shown that more than half of Australians are unable to tell the difference between a real image and a deepfake.Though consumers seem to have spotted Jeanswest's clunky AI content without any issue, future generative AI ad campaigns made with rapidly improving technology will likely be harder to identify.DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.