Canva Report Reveals AI's Strategic Tension in Marketing: Speed vs. Consumer Trust

Event summary

  • Canva's third 'State of Marketing and AI' report surveyed 1,415 marketing leaders and 3,547 consumers across 7 countries.
  • 97% of marketing leaders use AI daily, with 89% saving at least 4 hours weekly via AI tools.
  • 70% of consumers say AI-generated ads lack authenticity, with 65% finding them 'obvious and laughable'.
  • 41% of marketers cite 'AI slop'—generic, emotionally shallow content—as a significant challenge.
  • 74% of consumers prefer human-made ads, even if AI could produce better ones.

The big picture

Canva's findings highlight a broader industry shift where AI is becoming foundational in marketing operations, yet consumer skepticism threatens its long-term effectiveness. The tension between AI's efficiency gains and the demand for human authenticity will shape how brands deploy these tools. As AI adoption accelerates, the ability to differentiate through trust and personalization will separate leaders from laggards.

What we're watching

AI Integration
How marketing teams will balance AI-driven efficiency with maintaining brand authenticity.
Consumer Trust
Whether brands can establish governance frameworks to address consumer concerns about AI-generated content.
Creative Roles
The pace at which human-centric skills like empathy and creative judgment will become more critical in marketing.

Related topics

Technology