SINGAPORE: Meta Platforms, which has over 3.4 billion active users globally, plans to roll out artificial intelligence (AI) tools by the end of 2026 that will allow brands to create advertisements by providing only a product image and a budget, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing sources familiar with the matter.
They reportedly said that Meta’s AI would then generate the entire ad, including images, videos, and text, decide which users on Facebook and Instagram to target, and offer suggestions on budget.
The report noted that Meta also plans to allow advertisers to customise ads with AI, allowing them to see varied versions of the same ad in real time, tailored by factors like their location.
However, many users were far from impressed. One called the move a “waste of time and space,” saying, “Maybe two times in my lifetime I saw an advertisement on my phone and was interested in buying whatever it was.”
Another questioned, “Does advertising actually work or are they so desperate to sell stuff they’ll try anything?” Yet another pointed out that “half the ads are scams right now.” Meanwhile, one commenter said, “I’ll just keep blocking.”
Reuters reported that Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, pointed to CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s recent remarks about providing advertisers with AI tools that deliver “measurable results at scale” soon, when contacted for comments.
The company also plans to create an “AI one-stop shop” where businesses can set goals, control budgets, and let the platform manage logistics.
Other social media companies like Snap, Pinterest, and Reddit are boosting their AI efforts to compete for advertisers. Meanwhile, tech giants Google and OpenAI have introduced AI tools for video and image generation, but many marketers remain cautious due to concerns over brand safety, creative control, and quality. /TISG
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