AI/ML Marketing Roundup - 15 Jan 2025

Posted on Jan 15, 2025

The articles this week highlight the growing integration of AI into various aspects of marketing, from customer service chatbots to personalized content creation and advertising strategies. Key themes include the use of AI to enhance customer experiences, streamline marketing processes, and create more targeted and effective campaigns, while also raising important questions about data privacy, ethical use of AI, and the changing nature of consumer interactions with brands.

While most articles emphasize the benefits of AI in marketing, there are some notable variations in perspectives. For instance, Bort (2025) highlights concerns about AI bots overwhelming websites and potentially damaging user experiences, contrasting with the generally positive outlook on AI-powered customer interactions presented in other articles. Additionally, Williams (2025) raises questions about the default opt-in nature of some AI features in popular software, suggesting a need for more transparency and user control.

A. Understanding Buyers

  • Kerner (2025) describes how Narvar is using AI to enhance post-purchase customer experiences, highlighting the importance of AI in understanding and retaining customers. This article is relevant as it showcases how AI can be used to improve customer satisfaction and loyalty in the crucial post-purchase phase.
  • Kelly (2025) reports on Google’s new AI-powered personalized podcast feature based on users’ search and discovery history. This innovation demonstrates how AI can be leveraged to understand individual user preferences and deliver tailored content, offering insights for marketers on personalization strategies.

B. Marketing Strategy and Practice

  • Clark (2025) discusses Meta’s potential use of AI chatbots on WhatsApp for business interactions, projecting significant revenue growth. This article is relevant as it illustrates how AI can be integrated into messaging platforms to create new marketing and customer service channels.
  • Blancaflor (2025) outlines Disney’s three new AI-powered advertising tools, including audience segmentation and contextual ad placement. This piece is important for marketers as it showcases innovative ways to use AI for more targeted and effective advertising campaigns.
  • Sviokla (2025) explains how AI is transforming search strategies from keyword-based to intent-driven approaches. This article is crucial for marketers as it highlights the shift in SEO practices and the importance of understanding user intent in content creation.
  • Deffenbaugh (2025) reports on Meta’s AI-powered chatbots for WhatsApp and their potential to generate significant revenue. This article is relevant as it demonstrates how AI can be used to create new business models and revenue streams in social media platforms.

C. Ethical and Regulatory Matters

  • Williams (2025) raises concerns about the quiet integration of AI features into popular software and the implications for user privacy. This article is important for marketers as it highlights the need for transparency and ethical considerations when implementing AI in consumer-facing products.
  • Okemwa (2025) discusses the importance of prompt engineering skills in realizing the full potential of AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot. This article is relevant as it emphasizes the need for marketers to develop new skills to effectively leverage AI technologies while considering ethical implications.

The articles collectively paint a picture of AI’s growing influence in marketing, offering powerful tools for personalization, efficiency, and customer understanding. However, they also highlight the need for marketers to approach AI implementation thoughtfully, considering both the potential benefits and ethical implications. As AI continues to reshape the marketing landscape, professionals must stay informed about new technologies, develop relevant skills, and maintain a strong focus on consumer trust and data privacy.

  1. Improving marketers’ work: AI/ML technologies are revolutionizing how marketers understand and interact with customers. Kerner (2025) and Kelly (2025) demonstrate how AI can enhance post-purchase experiences and create personalized content, allowing marketers to better understand and cater to individual customer preferences. Sviokla (2025) highlights the shift towards intent-driven search strategies, enabling more effective content creation and SEO practices.

  2. Incorporating AI/ML into products and services: The integration of AI into existing platforms and the creation of new AI-powered tools are opening up new possibilities for marketers. Clark (2025) and Deffenbaugh (2025) showcase how AI chatbots on messaging platforms like WhatsApp can create new channels for customer interaction and revenue generation. Blancaflor (2025) illustrates how AI can be used to enhance advertising strategies through advanced audience segmentation and contextual ad placement.

  3. ESG implications: As AI becomes more prevalent in marketing practices, ethical considerations and social responsibility become increasingly important. Williams (2025) raises concerns about user privacy and the need for transparency in AI implementation, while Okemwa (2025) emphasizes the importance of developing skills to use AI tools responsibly. Marketers must balance the benefits of AI-powered personalization and efficiency with ethical data use and consumer trust.

Sources

Blancaflor, Saleah. 2025. “Disney Unveils 3 Ways It’s Using AI to Evolve Its Advertising.” Adweek, January. https://www.adweek.com/convergent-tv/disney-ai-advertising-tech-data/.

Bort, Julie. 2025. “How OpenAI’s Bot Crushed This Seven-Person Company’s Website ‘Like a DDoS Attack’.” TechCrunch, January. https://techcrunch.com/2025/01/10/how-openais-bot-crushed-this-seven-person-companys-web-site-like-a-ddos-attack/.

Clark, Adam. 2025. “Meta Stock Could Surge More Than 20.” Barron’s, January. https://www.barrons.com/articles/meta-platforms-stock-price-666c7263.

Deffenbaugh, Ryan. 2025. “Meta’s Generative AI Push Could Bring Big ’Windfall’ for WhatsApp, Analyst Says.” Investor’s Business Daily, January. https://www.investors.com/news/technology/meta-stock-buy-ai-whatsapp-chatbots/.

Kelly, Samantha. 2025. “Google Turns Your Activity History into a Daily AI-Powered Podcast.” CNET, January. https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/google-turns-your-activity-history-into-a-daily-ai-powered-podcast/.

Kerner, Sean Michael. 2025. “How Narvar Is Using AI and Data to Enhance Post-Purchase Customer Experiences.” VentureBeat, January. https://venturebeat.com/ai/how-narvar-is-using-ai-and-data-to-enhance-post-purchase-customer-experiences/.

Okemwa, Kevin. 2025. “Sam Altman Claims Knowing What Questions to Ask Trumps Raw Intelligence as AI Advances — Users Struggle to Realize Copilot and ChatGPT’s Full Potential, Owing to Poor Prompt Engineering Skills.” Windows Central, January. https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/sam-altman-claims-knowing-what-questions-to-ask-trumps-raw-intelligence-as-ai-advances.

Sviokla, John. 2025. “3 Ways to Prepare Businesses for the Answer Economy.” Forbes, January. http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnsviokla/2025/01/14/3-actions-to-make-you-ready-for-the-answer-economy/.

Williams, Kevin. 2025. “From Gmail to Word, Your Privacy Settings and AI Are Entering into a New Relationship.” CNBC, January. https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/15/from-gmail-to-word-your-privacy-settings-and-ai-in-a-new-relationship.html.