Shelly Palmer, a professor at Syracuse University and CEO of The Palmer Group, shares his insights on AI marketing trends from CES. He discusses the balance between overhyped and underappreciated technologies, emphasizing superautomation and content creation. Palmer predicts significant evolutions in AI marketing by 2025, explores the challenges and innovations of smart glasses, and highlights the importance of personal data privacy. He also underscores the necessity for marketers to adapt to these emerging technologies and sustain a culture of innovation.
The evolution of AI is moving towards 'agentic' roles that align with human objectives, necessitating a focus on superautomation.
This year's CES showcased diverse technological innovations that challenge groupthink, promoting unique visions for the future of technology.
The democratization of content creation tools is empowering marketers, allowing for innovative production strategies with minimal investment required.
Deep dives
The Future of AI and Agency
The term 'agentic' will gain prominence as organizations strive to shift AI's role from merely performing tasks to achieving specific goals. This evolution encompasses various technologies, including generative AI and neural networks, emphasizing the need for 'super automation'. This reflects a broader trend where technology is expected to align with human intentions and objectives rather than just executing predefined tasks. As companies adapt to this shift, understanding the capabilities and limits of AI becomes crucial in harnessing its potential effectively.
Insights from CES
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) has showcased a significant evolution in how companies demonstrate their visions for the future of technology. Unlike in previous years where homogenous trends dominated, this CES presented a variety of independent ideas from manufacturers on what the future should look like. Each company, such as Sony and Samsung, illustrated their unique interpretations, indicating a departure from groupthink and promoting innovation in diverse directions. This allows for a richer understanding of future technological landscapes and their implications for marketing and consumer behavior.
Shifts in Content Creation and Marketing Tools
The podcast highlights how technological advancements are transforming content creation, particularly through affordable tools like motion capture systems and pre-visualization software. Companies such as Sony are pioneering new workflows that cater to both professional creators and accessibility for individual marketers. This democratization of technology allows marketers to utilize advanced tools without significant investment, creating new opportunities for content production. The evolution also indicates a potential shift in marketing strategies, moving towards a more hands-on approach with available tools.
The Role of Data Privacy in Marketing
As technology evolves, concerns surrounding data privacy become paramount for marketers navigating consumer interactions. Personal data management, particularly with AI systems recognizing household items, introduces challenges about who owns and controls consumer data. Marketers need to be wary of partnerships that require sharing identifiable personal information, as this could alienate consumer trust. The future will require marketers to tread carefully, ensuring they respect consumer privacy while seeking insights that drive engagement and relevance.
Adapting Organizational Culture for Continuous Innovation
Developing a culture of continuous adaptation is essential for businesses to thrive in the rapidly evolving technology landscape. Leadership plays a critical role in preparing teams to embrace innovation and adapt workflows to incorporate new AI capabilities effectively. The podcast emphasizes training teams to leverage AI tools that enhance productivity and redefine roles within organizations. By fostering adaptability and encouraging hands-on experience with technology, companies can secure a competitive advantage in a world where adaptation is crucial.
Shelly Palmer, Professor at the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and CEO of The Palmer Group, reports on the AI marketing trends he is most excited about coming out of this year’s Consumer Electronic Show in Vegas. He talks about what’s over and underhyped - from superautomation and agents to content creation and beyond. And we’ll hear predictions as to how AI in marketing is evolving in 2025.