From A to B Will Trust in AI Die in 2026? ft. Slobodan Manić (CRO After Dark)
Dec 19, 2025
Joining the discussion are Slobodan Manić, an insightful voice in digital marketing, and Shiva Manjunath, the creator and podcaster of No Hacks. They dive into intriguing conversations about the future of AI in 2026, debating its declining trust and potential impact on marketing. Shiva predicts the fading importance of website-focused CRO as AI takes over decision-making. The duo also critiques the rise of low-quality AI-generated content and emphasizes the need for authenticity to stand out. Their insights offer a thought-provoking glimpse into the evolving digital landscape.
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Episode notes
AI Agents Shift Decisions Off-Site
- Shiva predicts website-only optimization will lose value as AI agents handle research and purchases off-site.
- When AI assistants make decisions upstream, on-site micro-nudges (button colors, shapes) become ineffective.
Experiment Upstream And Cross-Channel
- Move experimentation upstream and across channels instead of only testing tactical website elements.
- Optimize the whole customer decision process and channels you don't control to influence AI-mediated purchases.
Trust In AI Will Plateau Then Fall
- Slobodan expects public trust in AI to decline in 2026 as hype meets repeated under-delivery and visible misuse.
- Ads, low-quality AI outputs, and corporate overreach will accelerate skepticism toward AI.