Coca-Cola launches Christmas ad with AI and animals instead of humans

Coca-Cola launched the “Holidays Are Coming” commercial for Christmas 2025 on November 3. Produced entirely with artificial intelligence, the video shows illuminated red trucks traveling through snowy landscapes. Animals such as polar bears, pandas, seals and cubs watch as vehicles pass by.

The brand collaborated with Secret Level and Silverside AI studios. Around 100 professionals participated in the process, a similar number to traditional campaigns. Production took 30 days and generated more than 70 thousand clips.

• Polar bears emerge in icy forests.
• Pandas and seals accompany the trucks in global scenarios.
• Puppies get glowing eyes when they see the lights.
• Santa Claus only appears at the end, opening a bottle.

Production involved fewer humans than in 2024

The company reduced its human team from 50 to 20 AI specialists. Five professionals selected clips from thousands generated by tools such as Leonardo, Luma and Runway.

Pratik Thakar, global vice president of generative AI, said quality has improved tenfold. The song maintains the human choir of the 1995 classic. The focus on animals avoided problems with human faces from the previous year.

Coca Cola’s annual Christmas commercial has been created with AI this time. pic.twitter.com/xO72akwoBh

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) November 15, 2024

Criticism emerges on social media

Users classified the video as “soulless” and “lazy”. Animators complained about the replacement of creative jobs. Comments on YouTube called for a return to traditional productions.

• “Pay real animators,” wrote one user.
• Another highlighted the irony in the slogan “real magic”.
• Celebrities in the sector accused the brand of ignoring artists.

Company defends technological advancement

Thakar declared that “the genie is out of the bottle”. The campaign surpassed internal and competitor benchmarks in 2024. Coca-Cola plans real truck tours in November and December.

The play will be shown globally, including separate live-action. The brand did not reveal costs, but highlighted five times greater speed.

Visual details create inconsistencies

Some fur textures seem undefined. Animal movements mix realism and watercolor style. Truck wheels rotate correctly, correcting 2024 error.

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Scenes move through forests, oceans and snowy cities. The shine in the animals’ eyesbeu enhancement via Silverside AI.

Repercussion reflects debate on AI in advertising

The video racked up millions of views within hours. Part of the public praised the innovation and cuteness of the animals. Others argued that Christmas requires human connection.

The campaign includes QR codes on packaging for personalized experiences. Coca-Cola tests the limits of AI in emotional territory.

Global strategy maintains tradition with innovation

Red trucks have remained a Christmas symbol since 1995. The AI version reimagines the journey with animals from different continents. Santa Claus uses the brand’s original design.

The company has been integrating AI since 2023 in cards and advertisements. The 2025 project prioritized precision in animal expressions.

Coca-Cola launched the “Refresh Your Holidays” commercial on November 3rd. Two videos show illuminated trucks and animals reacting to their arrival. AI generated all scenes except human vocal music.

Secret Level and Silverside AI studios led the creation. Team of five experts reviewed 70,000 clips in one month. Reduction of human resources aims at efficiency, according to executives.