The AI Edge Podcast
U of Digital
The AI Edge podcast is where AI pop culture meets marketing and technology. Hosted by trusted educators in the space: Shiv Gupta, founder of U of Digital, and Myles Younger, ad tech veteran, the show breaks down what’s actually happening in AI and what it means for marketers, agencies, and leaders focused on tech.Each week, Shiv and Myles cover the latest AI news, and dive deep with a guest into topics like the future of work with AI or how marketers should think about building their AI tech stack. If you want someone to cut through the noise, decode what’s really happening, and help you stay ahead, this is your AI edge.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 15, 2025 • 39min
4. The Great Agentic Commerce Discussion, featuring Andrew Lipsman
In this discussion, Andrew Lipsman, an independent analyst and consultant specializing in media and commerce, challenges the hype around agentic commerce, describing it as a "collective hallucination." The conversation dives into Disney's $1B investment in OpenAI and the implications of licensing beloved IP. They also explore the role of data in retail, urging retailers to reclaim first-party data while evaluating AI-assisted shopping's limits. The notion of autonomous shopping agents is dissected, raising critical questions about the future of retail media.
Dec 8, 2025 • 35min
3. The AdTech and MarTech Divide Is Dead, featuring Heather Macaulay, President, MadConnect
Heather Macaulay, President of MadConnect, dives into the exciting changes reshaping marketing technology. She reveals how Black Friday 2025 marked a turning point, with AI shoppers proving more effective than ever. Discussing the breakdown of the long-standing divide between AdTech and MarTech, Heather emphasizes the integration challenges many brands face. She shares insights on Amazon's strategies, the requirements for AI visibility, and the importance of quality data—warning that AI can amplify bad data rather than fix it.
Nov 17, 2025 • 43min
2. Synthetic Audiences and the $50B Question, featuring Chad Reynolds, CEO Vurvey Labs
Chad Reynolds, Founder and CEO of Vurvey Labs, discusses the revolutionary concept of synthetic audiences created from real human data. He explores how these models can transform market research by allowing brands to test ideas without recruiting actual participants. Chad dives into their effectiveness, the validation process against real behaviors, and the looming question of whether traditional market research will become obsolete. The conversation touches on ethical implications and the future impact on the $50 billion industry. Don't miss these fascinating insights!
Nov 10, 2025 • 33min
1. AI Edge: Where AI Meets Pop Culture, featuring guest Krish Raja
Krish Raja, founder of AI Literacy and an AI expert, joins hosts Shiv and Myles to explore the stormy intersection of AI, marketing, and advertising. They discuss the buzz around Coca-Cola’s divisive AI holiday ad and its implications. The trio dives into whether ChatGPT could become an advertising platform, alongside contrasting AI strategies from Amazon and Shopify. Krish emphasizes the importance for marketers to critically assess their AI tools, stressing that evolution in skills is essential for staying relevant in an AI-driven future.
