Welcome to AI Marketing
Edition 3 - Looking at emerging tools in the marketing arena.
Quick update - AI Marketing is being merged with theAdstack.substack.com.
Less is more.
Short Intro - Artificial Intelligence (AI) is most of what you’ll read about in most marketing publications and blogs. Here we’ll focus on emerging tools of the trade such as how AI will affect Google Ad Words in the world of Direct Marketing.
Let’s get to it. For this post let’s look at today. Following is a snapshot list of where we stand today along with what might be lurking on the horizon. Here are some of the most popular AI applications today:
Top 10 Popular AI Software Today
Chatbots (Siri, Alexa, customer service bots)
Machine translation services
Recommendation engines (Netflix, Amazon)
Image recognition (photo tagging, medical imaging analysis)
Virtual assistants (scheduling, reminders, smart home control)
Natural language processing (search, sentiment analysis)
Autonomous vehicles (self-driving cars, drones)
Predictive analytics (targeted advertising, forecasting)
Computer vision (object, facial, and activity recognition)
Conversational AI (research systems like ChatGPT)
And here is a hypothetical top 10 list for 6-12 months from today:
Potential Top 10 AI Software in 6-12 Months
Personalized conversational AI assistants
Hyperrealistic AI-generated media
Immersive entertainment experiences
Autonomous transportation services
AI art and music creation tools
Data marketplaces and automation
Intelligent robotics and prosthetics
Automated science and drug discovery (see blog post #1)
Smarter home management systems
AI for humanitarian and social causes
The list highlights more emerging applications that may gain traction in the mainstream within the next year. But only time will tell which AI capabilities will catch on as viral trends or stand the test of time as lasting innovations. We are sure to see both clever fads and truly transformative technologies as AI evolves. The key will be navigating this complex terrain thoughtfully, ethically, and for the benefit of us all.
The Next Big Trends and Fads in Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is advancing at a rapid pace, with new developments emerging constantly. As AI becomes more sophisticated and integrated into our daily lives, we can expect to see certain applications and capabilities gain widespread popularity and become fads or trends - at least for a while. Here are some potential AI trends and fads we may see in the near future:
Conversational AI
Chatbots and virtual assistants like Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant are already ubiquitous. As natural language processing improves, conversational AI will become even more human-like. Brands will race to create entertaining and useful voice-based interactions. Personalized bots could become digital companions, and virtual beings may feel more “real.” Ethics will be debated as relationships with AI entities deepen.
Hyperpersonalization
Data collection and AI algorithms already power customized recommendations and targeted ads. But AI could yield hyper-personalization - products, services and content precisely tailored to our individual personalities, needs and contexts. While enticing, this level of personalization raises concerns about surveillance, manipulation and loss of serendipity. That is, a general lack of surprise and personal discovery in our day-to-day lives. Regulation may be required to strike the right balance.
Immersive Entertainment
Interactive, immersive digital experiences are gaining popularity through AR/VR and technologies like ChatGPT. Blending entertainment with AI could create highly personalized, participatory adventures. Imagine theme parks or live events where AI adjusts rides, activities and interactions for each guest. Drawbacks include potential addiction to hyper-stimulating AI-powered entertainment.
Autonomous Transportation
Self-driving cars are already being tested. In the next few years, autonomous taxis and delivery vehicles could hit the mainstream. This could dramatically reshape transportation and logistics. However, regulatory hurdles and AI limitations have to be overcome before widespread adoption. If achieved, fads may include luxury self-driving recreational vehicles. The AI-assisted nomads of the future. Sounds enticing.
AI Art & Music
Creative AI apps can generate images, videos, music and more. The novelty of AI “creating” art may spark frenzied experimentation among hobbyists. Fads could include collecting AI artworks as NFTs or generating personalized music and stories. However, concerns around copyright, plagiarism and artistic integrity remain. The ultimate impact on human creativity is debatable.
Data Marketplaces
Data is the fuel for AI. New data marketplaces may emerge where individuals sell access to their personal data. However, this commoditization of data raises ethical issues. Strict regulations may be needed to protect data rights. Data labor movements could form as people demand fair compensation for their digital labor powering AI systems.
AI for Science
AI can analyze massive datasets to accelerate materials discovery, drug development, particle physics and more. If robustly validated, AI systems could automate certain phases of scientific research and vastly increase the rate of experimentation. This could lead to rapid breakthroughs but also carries risks if findings are inaccurately extrapolated.
Automated Healthcare
AI diagnostic tools, personalized medicine, robotic surgeries, and intelligent prosthetics could transform healthcare. Seamless integration with augmented/virtual reality could enable remote expert care. Consumer enthusiasm may drive fads like personal AI “doctor” apps. But concerns around accuracy, liability and dehumanization of care will necessitate caution. Likewise, AI may also accelerate and support the "patient-centric" shift in healthcare.
Smart Homes & Cities
Homes and appliances infused with AI could become commonplace. Voice assistants may manage our schedules, environment and security. However, conveniences would be offset by privacy concerns. At a city level, AI could optimize energy use and traffic flow, but again sacrifices citizen autonomy. Backlash movements may form against automation of living spaces.
AI for Good
Nonprofits, social enterprises and public agencies could use AI for humanitarian causes: disaster relief, poverty reduction, conservation and more. If successful, a fad may form around aspiring AI for social good. However, effectiveness will require avoiding bias and harms - especially for disadvantaged communities. The paradox of overly-automated living spaces versus the penalty paid by those lacking access to the technology.
The above 10 potential trends and fads we may see with AI. But predicting the future always proves a fickle task.