The advertising industry skews young: the median age of ad workers is 39, five years below the broader workforce median, and only 5% to 10% of ad budgets target older consumers. As brands chase Gen Z on TikTok and newer platforms, established creatives risk being sidelined.
But the rise of AI tools may actually level the playing field. Seasoned professionals in design, animation, VFX, photography and directing have spent decades learning composition, performance, movement and narrative—skills AI cannot replicate. These experienced workers can immediately spot when generated work feels off or lacks tension, and they understand what resonates with audiences.
When established talent combines this judgment with AI capabilities, it could extend careers rather than end them. The technology rewards not digital fluency alone, but the ability to direct and refine creative output—an advantage held by those with proven track records.
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