78% of SMBs worldwide say faster content creation is the leading benefit of using LLMs for digital marketing, according to an October 2025 survey from GoodFirms.
Social media added 108.0 billion hours of mobile app time globally in 2025, more than three times the gain of the next-closest category, genAI/AI assistants (30.3 billion hours), according to a January report from Sensor Tower.
Buying moments are surfacing everywhere; in search results, social media, streaming platforms, and the AI tools guiding consumer choices. For retailers, that means rethinking how conversion happens and reshaping commerce operations for a world where any touchpoint can become a point of sale.
While ChatGPT still leads, Anthropic slashed churn by 20 points, proving retention—not downloads—is the real battleground.
Its platform tackles AI workflow chaos with context graphs, custom agents, and tighter IT controls.
A Santander-Mastercard pilot shows AI can transact—forcing brands to rethink the funnel.
It’s looking at powering ads in third-party chatbots, extending its ad business beyond retail media.
OpenAI is adding Criteo to its US ad pilot, seeking credibility and demand despite steep CPMs and thin proof.
Meta’s test underscores a fight to own high-intent discovery and loyalty.
New studies show the limitations of relying on AI tools for health answers. Platforms must tighten safeguards and educate users on smart prompting.
It’s unlikely to pull users from ChatGPT, but it could increase pressure on tech giants to safeguard user data and avoid overhyping their AI’s medical advice capabilities.
Chatbots and creators become go-to mental health supports for Gen Z as barriers to traditional care persist.
AI-optimized non-skip ads promise full views, but success hinges on premium creative, not forced frequency.
44% of retail executives worldwide expect gen AI to weaken brand loyalty by shifting consumer choice toward value and fit over brand recognition by 2026, according to a January report from Deloitte.
While Amazon's Alexa, Apple's Siri, and Google Assistant dominated the 2010s, AI-native voice interfaces like ChatGPT's Voice Mode now set the standard for conversational fluency.
While categories like payments, back-end infrastructure, and in-store systems remain relevant, AI has emerged as a defining force in retail tech for 2026.
Only 6% of marketers have fully deployed AI into workflows. Data silos and weak ROI proof stall progress.
Automation is becoming programmatic’s second engine, as PubMatic’s latest results highlight early traction from agentic AI tools.
Claude hits No. 1 on iOS as some users ditch ChatGPT, turning AI policy into market leverage.
Its automation pitch at MWC targets telecom cost pressure, not layoffs, tying AI to reliability and revenue protection.