AI Didn’t Ruin Your Ads with Steve Babcock

83% of ad executives now use AI in the creative process, up from 60% two years ago. But only 45% of young consumers feel positive about AI-made ads. Advertisers guess that number is 82%.This week, Elena and Angela are joined by Chief Creative Officer Steve Babcock to dig into that gap. Cost efficiency is now the top reason marketers reach for AI. It ranked fifth two years ago. Steve explains where AI slop really comes from, why TV punishes cut corners far more than social does, and what still has to stay human. Plus, why cutting production costs means improving the smallest line item on the page. Topics covered: [01:40] Why cost efficiency became AI's top-cited benefit [04:00] Where AI slop comes from and the uncanny valley [11:50] Should brands disclose when an ad was made with AI? [15:00] How AI shows up in briefs, idea generation and pretesting [22:15] Why TV is the least forgiving channel for AI creative [27:30] The case for raising the creative ceiling, not lowering the price floor [30:30] Steve's contrarian take on creating with AI  To learn more, visit marketingarchitects.com/podcast or subscribe to our newsletter at marketingarchitects.com/newsletter.  Resources: 2026 IAB and Sonata Insights Study: https://www.iab.com/insights/the-ai-gap-widens/ Get more research-backed marketing strategies by subscribing to The Marketing Architects on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.