Think Different: We (and AI) Updated Apple’s Iconic Ad Campaign for 2024

Lady Gaga

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A true avant-garde artist, Lady Gaga delivered powerhouse vocals while impacting fashion and social attitudes, especially around LGBTQ+ acceptance. Instead of resting on her laurels as the queen of contemporary dance/pop music, she became an acclaimed actress and even released a couple albums of jazz standards with beloved crooner Tony Bennett.

(We love the wall of apples that AI dreamed up for Gaga’s “Think Different” ad, which somehow feels completely real — and completely her.)

Lin-Manuel Miranda

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The man who made musicals cool again, Lin-Manuel Miranda expertly melded genres to create a historic stir on Broadway with Hamilton, which shattered box-office records. With Hollywood hits like In the Heights and Encanto, he’s proven that his talents are limitless — and his work has only just begun.

Stan Lee

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As co-creator of Spider-Man, Iron Man, Thor, Black Panther, and the X-Men, Stan Lee left a superhero-sized mark on American pop culture. Although his peak creative era predated “Think Different,” the Marvel Cinematic Universe has generated almost $30 billion at the global box office since 2007, securing Stan Lee a spot for inspiring kids (and adults) for generations.

LeBron James and Michael Jordan

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Gen X and elder millennials will always pick MJ as the GOAT. Younger millennials and Gen Z only knew King James at his prime. Whoever is your personal NBA (and Space Jam) hero, both athletes changed the sport forever — and AI helped us imagine the 1-on-1 game that everybody wants to see.

Jay-Z and Beyoncé

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A powerhouse couple who pushes themselves with every album and entrepreneurial project. In addition to climbing the charts with music that has served as a soundtrack for a generation, they’ve redefined stardom as individuals (and as partners) by embracing fashion, business, and social causes.

Tina Fey

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Tina Fey has killer comedic timing and an impeccable sense of the cultural zeitgeist. From anchoring Saturday Night Live’s “Weekend Update” desk to overseeing 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, she’s a national treasure who opened the door for a new generation of funny women. Plus, millennials will always love her for writing Mean Girls.

Neil deGrasse Tyson

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Over his long career, deGrasse Tyson has made astrophysics relatable and even … sexy?

Beyond explaining cosmic concepts in language we can actually understand, the Hayden Planetarium director — who has earned the National Academy of Sciences Public Welfare Medal, Columbia University’s Medal of Excellence, and a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album — continues to advocate for NASA funding and science education.

Taylor Swift

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As a teenager, Taylor Swift took the country-music world by storm with heartfelt lyrics about love, loss, and growing up … and then she conquered the actual world. T-Swift has earned a loyal following of countless Swifties, and continues to write chart-topping pop song after chart-topping pop song. Nobody else could rerecord their old albums and make ‘em even bigger hits — her “Eras Tour” might be the first tour to earn $1 billion.

(Here, AI pictured her wearing an Apple Watch. With a sturdy band, you won’t accidentally “Shake It Off,” and it could someday monitor your “Bad Blood” sugar.)

Jennifer Lopez

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Two words: Triple Threat. The supremely talented J.Lo can dance, sing, and act. She’s broken records as the highest paid Hispanic actress in Hollywood, sold tens of millions of records, and co-headlined the 2020 Super Bowl halftime show. Constantly reinventing herself, Lopez continues to produce projects under her Nuyorican Productions company, most notably for Netflix.

Steve Jobs

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We had to include the man behind Apple himself. A titan who set the bar for modern CEOs, we’re still living in the world that Steve Jobs built. Whether or not you’re an Apple fan, you have to admit: He really did think different.

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