Artificial intelligence is transforming the advertising industry, and nowhere is that impact felt more acutely than at the entry level. A recent Ad Age article explores how agencies and educators are rethinking junior roles, with insight from VCU Brandcenter Executive Director Vann Graves.
“The reality is, there have always been technological advances and changes that impact the industry,” Graves said, pointing to the dot-com boom of the late 1990s. “It’s really about being able to adjust to those technological changes.”
As routine “button-pushing” tasks are increasingly automated, new opportunities are emerging that emphasize human creativity, strategic thinking, and client-facing skills. Graves noted that Brandcenter students still learn foundational mechanics, like how to shoot with real cameras, before turning to AI platforms. “If they truly understand what an aperture is and what those adjustments are and how that’s applied, they then can apply that to their work so they can actually use AI as a tool versus being a tool to AI,” he said.
While the entry point into the industry is shifting, Graves remains optimistic. Just as past waves of innovation reshaped advertising jobs, today’s changes are opening the door to new, more dynamic opportunities for young professionals who can adapt, think critically, and harness AI as a creative partner.