DirecTV screensavers will show AI-generated ads with your face in 2026

DirecTV is set to introduce a new advertising feature that will utilize AI-generated screensavers on its streaming devices starting in early 2026. This initiative, announced in collaboration with the advertising company Glance, aims to engage viewers in a novel way. Users of DirecTV’s Gemini streaming devices will be the first to experience these tailored ads. The Gemini Air, a compact USB device powered by Android TV, allows users to access both live TV channels and a variety of streaming applications without requiring a satellite connection. This device was launched in 2023, alongside a traditional Gemini set-top box that connects to DirecTV's satellite service. Previously, Gemini devices displayed default Google wallpapers during idle moments. However, with the upcoming change, viewers will see Glance's AI-generated ads after ten minutes of inactivity. Notably, Glance is known for integrating AI-generated lock screen advertisements that feature users' faces on Samsung Galaxy phones, a service they launched in June. Glance has begun expanding its ad platform to smart TV operating systems, building on its reputation for creating engaging advertising experiences. Users will have the opportunity to create a personalized AI avatar simply by scanning a QR code that appears on the screensaver. This avatar can then be used to navigate through various AI-generated content. Furthermore, users will have the option to customize their avatars, enabling Glance's screensaver technology to suggest real-world products through reverse-image searches. Rajat Wanchoo, Glance's group VP of commercial partnerships, emphasized that the platform has access to a vast inventory of products, boasting over a trillion stock-keeping units (SKUs) that can be matched with AI-generated visuals. Final transactions will be handled via mobile devices or other platforms, independent of the Gemini hardware.