OpenAI and Meta launch AI‑powered ad platforms at Cannes Lions 2026

OpenAI announced the rollout of conversion‑optimised advertising inside ChatGPT at Cannes Lions 2026. The new tools include an OpenAI Pixel and Conversions API that let advertisers track actions such as purchases or lead submissions after a user clicks a sponsored message displayed below ChatGPT responses. The self‑serve Ads Manager, launched in May, supports CPM and CPC bidding with no minimum spend, and the company projects ad revenue of up to $2.4 billion in 2026 as it prepares for a potential IPO later in the year.

At the same event, Meta showcased AI‑driven creative tools that generate brand‑consistent visuals in real time, using a “brand memory” feature. The platform integrates with WPP Open, making Unilever the first beta advertiser. Meta also announced the merger of its Creator Marketplace and Partnership Ads Hub into a single Meta Creator Marketing Hub, and highlighted its Business Agent chatbot that has already handled thousands of AI‑assisted purchase conversations.

Le Monde’s M Publicité discussed the broader impact of generative AI on media buying, emphasizing the need for simplified, trust‑based ad pathways as the market fragments. Together, the announcements illustrate a shift toward conversational and AI‑generated advertising across major platforms.