The world’s first global awards program dedicated to AI-driven creativity in advertising has announced its inaugural winners. The AARON Awards applauds work where human imagination and intelligent systems combine to produce original, high-quality brand communication. Unlike traditional awards where AI appears as a subcategory, AARON evaluates AI as a creative discipline in its own right, recognising creators and teams using AI as a primary creative medium across narrative storytelling, hybrid production, synthography, sonic design, real-time experiences and workflow innovation.
The awards received entries from 45 countries, reflecting the rapid evolution of AI as a creative medium and the growing importance of craft, direction and creative intelligence in how it is applied. The winners were selected by an independent international jury of leading creative directors, AI artists, technologists and production experts, all currently shaping the AI and creativity space in the industry. Entries were assessed not only on visual output, but also on authorship, craft, workflow design, human-AI collaboration and the originality of the creative approach.
A clear pattern emerged across all categories. The strongest projects did not treat AI as a novelty or shortcut, but as a medium requiring direction, restraint and creative judgement.
“The craft was extraordinary in the sense that everyone was trying to figure out their angle using the tools…the work that really landed made me stop and think about the process and exploration behind it,” the jury stated.
Australian talent featured strongly across both winners and the broader shortlist. Thinkerbell took out Best Hybrid Production for The Last Order, while Australian collaborators were also behind the Best Synthography winner Crocs x The Lost Futures – Caged Line.
Pip Bingemann, co-founder of Springboards and AARON jury member, stated, “I’ve found that Australia has always punched above its weight creatively. Smaller teams, tighter budgets and more hybrid thinkers. That same instinct seems to be showing up in how AI’s being used here locally with a way from prompt libraries to designed workflows & repeatable, scalable work that stands out on the global stage.”
AARON Laureate: Kavan (Kavan the Kid) Cardoza
The jury awarded the inaugural AARON Laureate honour to Kavan Cardoza, recognising his contribution to shaping AI-driven creativity in advertising. Known for concept-led speculative campaigns and distinctive visual storytelling, he has emerged as one of the defining voices in AI-native advertising, pushing generative workflows into culturally relevant creative territory and helping establish spec AI work as a legitimate creative discipline.
Kavan commented, “AI doesn’t replace creativity; it raises the bar for it. The tools make it easier to generate, but harder to stand out. What matters now is taste, ideas and direction. That’s what turns AI from output into something meaningful.”
AARON Awards 2026 Winners
Best AI + Human Collaboration
Made with Lenovo Yoga – SUPERHEROES (US/The Netherlands)
Best AI Artist – Supported by TheSupply
László Gaál – Hungary
Best AI-Powered Narrative
Erotika – Manifesto – Bait Society / Director Kobayashi (Cyprus)
Best AI-Powered Real-Time Brand Experience
My First Voice – Monks (Global). https://www.monks.com/case-studies/my-first-voice-innovation-generative-ai
Best AI Spec Ad for Brand
Open Airlines – Mariam Mouzoul (France). https://mariammouzoul.fr/ai/openairlines.html
Best AI Workflow for Creative Ideation – supported by Springboards
Den Skjulte Regning / The Hidden Cost – Nikolaj Lykke Viborg (Denmark)
Best AI Workflow for Production
DICK’S Sporting Goods FOOH Holiday Campaign for Crocs NFL Collection – Groove Jones (US)
Best Hybrid Production
The Last Order – Thinkerbell (Australia)
Best Sonic Design – supported by Abe’s Audio
My First Voice – Monks (Global)
Best Synthography
Crocs x The Lost Futures – Caged Line – SUPERHEROES NY / JIMMY / THE LOST FUTURES / BICFLAME (US / Australia)
Best Stock + AI Creative Alchemy – supported by Envato
Connections – Bait Society / Director Kobayashi (Cyprus)
The winning work will be displayed during the inaugural AARON Awards virtual show, celebrating the creators and teams shaping the next chapter of advertising.
Find more information and view the winning work here.
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