How different generations Responds to AI-Generated Ads vs. Traditional Ads

Dudi Rali
April 15th, 2025
10 Minutes Read Time
How different generations Responds to AI-Generated Ads vs. Traditional Ads

Your generational marketing master key must click with all ages. It might sometimes be a struggle to create traditional Ads for your business, especially when you cannot find time. Therefore, many Gen-Zs opt for AI advertisements. But, that's not the case for all. Millennials, Gen X or baby boomers, they all have different ways to perceive ads.

Some might prefer traditional ads, while others may go for AI ads. 

Both Millennials and Gen Z prioritize high-quality visuals in an AI generated ad, which can be an ultimate way to increase engagement and effectiveness.

This blog breaks down how Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers engage with AI-driven versus traditional ads, and what these differences mean for your next campaign.

Why Generational Preferences Matter

Advertising isn’t one-size-fits-all. What clicks with a Gen Z TikTok scroller might flop with a Baby Boomer reading the morning paper. As AI advertisements flood our screens, understanding these generational gaps isn’t just helpful, it’s essential for marketers

Consider this: 80% of advertisers now use AI tools for ad creation. 

Generational Perspectives: From Filters to Flyers

Gen Z (1997–2012): The Scroll-and-Engage Generation

Raised on Instagram filters and YouTube tutorials, Gen Z gravitates toward ads that feel like part of their digital playground. They’re drawn to AI’s ability to create interactive experiences. 

Think virtual try-ons for makeup or AR filters that transform selfies into anime characters. Brands like Chipotle hit the mark by letting users “unwrap” digital burritos on social media, blending playfulness with tech.

But there’s a twist: This group has a sharp radar for anything fake. Overly polished AI-generated faces or robotic scripts? They’ll scroll past faster than you can say “algorithm.” 

Authenticity wins here. Take Dove’s campaigns, which mix AI-driven skin analysis tools with unretouched photos of real people, proving tech and truth can coexist.

Millennials (1981–1996): The “Personalize, But Don’t Pry” Crowd

Millennials appreciate convenience but side-eye anything that feels invasive. They’re the generation that made Netflix’s “Because you watched…” recommendations a staple, yet they’ll clear their browser history to dodge overly targeted ads. 

Successful campaigns strike a balance. Spotify Wrapped nails this by using AI to curate users’ yearly music stats but packaging them with bold, human-designed graphics that beg to be shared.

Email marketing thrives here too, but only when it feels curated. Think subject lines like “Your Next Weekend Read” instead of “Buy This Now!” Subtlety is key.

Gen X (1965–1980): The No-Nonsense Shoppers

Gen X values practicality over charm. They’re the ones scrolling Amazon for deals while half-watching a TV ad. Tools that simplify their busy lives, like Home Depot’s app that estimates paint quantities for DIY projects, earn their loyalty. They’re not against tech; they just want it to work.

Traditional ads still hold sway here, especially for big purchases. A car commercial during their favorite crime drama might prompt a website visit, but Gen X will triple-check reviews before clicking “buy.”

Baby Boomers (1946–1964): The Trust-in-Print Loyalists

Boomers keep traditional media alive by preferring traditional ads instead of ai advertisements. They’re the ones circling newspaper coupons, tuning into morning news ads, and trusting brands they’ve seen for decades. 

Pharma giants still pour budgets into TV spots because a familiar face explaining a medication feels more reliable than a flashy TikTok.

That said, Boomers aren’t tech-averse, they just prefer simplicity. Walmart’s grocery app, designed with large text and minimal clutter, sees steady use from this group. The lesson? Meet them where they are, but keep it straightforward.

What Shapes These Preferences?

Visual Storytelling

For Gen Z and Millennials, visuals aren’t just decoration, they’re the message. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok thrive on eye-catching, AI-enhanced content that feels native to the feed. Brands that lean into this. Say, a sneaker company using AI to let users “test” shoe colors in real time, build deeper connections.

Personalization

Tailored content works when it feels like a helpful nudge, not a stalker. Gen Z loves quizzes that recommend products (“Which skincare type are you?”), while Millennials respond to emails that reference past purchases without being creepy. The key? Let users choose to engage.

Authenticity

Across generations, people crave realness. Boomers trust ads that look handcrafted, like a local bakery’s flyer. Gen Z flocks to brands that embrace imperfections. Think Lush Cosmetics’ unfiltered Instagram posts. 

Even AI advertisements have a role here: Adobe’s campaigns highlight AI tools while showcasing human artists’ work, striking a balance between innovation and soul.

Marketing in a Multigenerational World: Why Flexibility Wins?

Ignoring generational preferences is like serving espresso to a tea lover. It misses the mark. Brands need strategies that flex across platforms and styles. After all the grinding and understanding the preference of each generation between ai advertisements and traditional ads, here’s what can be highlighted:

  • Gen Z: Experiment with playful AI tools (AR filters, meme generators) but keep the vibe authentic.
  • Millennials: Offer personalized picks without overstepping, think “You might like” sections, not ads that mirror private chats.
  • Gen X: Focus on problem-solving ads (DIY tutorials, comparison charts) with clear benefits.
  • Boomers: Stick to familiar formats (TV, print) but add digital touchpoints that mimic analog ease.

Cross-Gen Tricks

But the question is, how do you satisfy all generations? Would you go for traditional ads? Millennial ads? Gen Z ads? Or a combination of all. Well, here’s what you can consider:

  • You can go for hybrid campaigns where a TV ad could feature a QR code that launches an AI styling tool, blending old and new. Not just that, to make work easier, you can use tools like AdGPT to create ads without hassle.
  • You must make ethical tech use a priority. Let users opt out of data tracking because if you want your business to boom, you need to build transparency since it ultimately builds trust.

The Future Isn’t Either/Or

The most successful ads won’t pick sides, they’ll merge AI’s precision with traditional charm. Imagine a billboard that uses facial recognition to show personalized offers or a radio ad that triggers a voice assistant coupon.

For marketers, the key is to respect generational roots. Gen Z’s love for TikTok trends, Millennials’ demand for balance, Gen X’s practicality, and Boomers’ trust in tradition aren’t quirks, they’re cultural blueprints. 

Use AI tools like AdGPT to enhance, not overshadow, these human connections. After all, the next viral ad might not be a high-tech masterpiece, but a handwritten postcard that makes a Boomer feel seen.


Question & Answers

A: AI advertisement revolutionizes targeting by replacing cookies with machine learning. It analyzes behavior patterns to serve hyper-relevant ads while respecting privacy. This shift makes campaigns more ethical and effective.

A: Gen Z demands authenticity in AI advertisement, favoring brands that align with social causes. They distrust overly polished campaigns, pushing advertisers to blend AI tools with raw, relatable content.

A: By 2025, AI advertisement will automate 80% of routine tasks while enabling real-time creative adjustments. Expect emotion-detecting ads and AI-generated influencers to dominate personalized campaigns.

A: AI advertisement enables micro-second ad auctions and dynamic creative optimization. Platforms like TikTok Ads now auto-generate video variations tailored to individual viewer preferences.

A: AI advertisement uses predictive analytics to forecast trends and optimize budgets. Neural networks test thousands of ad variants, identifying top performers before human teams spot patterns.


Author Image

Dudi Rali

twitter twitter
Dudi Rali serves as Head of User Acquisition at AdGPT.com, bringing extensive expertise in performance marketing. With a proven track record in PPC campaign management and SEO strategy implementation, Dudi has consistently delivered measurable growth results across various digital channels. His analytical approach to optimization and deep understanding of search algorithms make him instrumental in expanding AdGPT.com's user base through effective digital acquisition strategies.

Ready to create jaw dropping ads?

Try AdGPT for free. AdGPT harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to bring your advertising visions to life.