5 AI advertising controversies that turned heads this year, from Meta's AI granny to Coca-Cola's shape-shifting trucks

Coca-Cola's holiday ad, featuring AI, got mixed feedback.

YouTube/@Coca-Cola

• Marketers embraced AI in 2025.
• There were also some high-profile AI hiccups in advertising.
• From McDonald's to Meta, here's a look at major brands that had AI ad controversies this year.

Chief marketing officers at many of the world's biggest brands made artificial intelligence a centerpiece of their strategies this year.

For some brands, the enthusiasm ran into risky territory.