The news: A CBS investigation discovered hundreds of deepfake ads on Meta platforms promoting “nudify” apps that create sexually explicit content based on images of real people. The analysis of Meta’s ad library found at minimum hundreds of deepfake ads across Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Facebook Messenger, and Meta Audience Network. Our take: The rise of deepfakes on major platforms like Meta emphasizes AI’s potential to erode consumer trust and raise brand safety risks—forcing advertisers to navigate a growing gap between innovation and lagging safeguards.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss how Americans’ feelings towards AI have changed this year, the gaps in concern between AI experts and the general public, and the best ways to get started with AI. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, Analyst Grace Harmon, and Senior Vice President of Media Content and Strategy Henry Powderly. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.

A large majority of US consumers are somewhat (26%), very (32%), or extremely (34%) concerned about AI spreading misinformation, according to an August 2024 survey from the Pew Research Center.

The news: In-car voice commerce has the potential to unlock a $35 billion annual opportunity for automakers, according to new research by in-car voice technology provider SoundHound AI. The hands-free tech integrates voice ordering, payments, and navigation directly into vehicles—transforming them into mobile commerce hubs that users are already familiar with. Key takeaway: Marketers and advertisers should prepare for a shift in automotive user interface by integrating voice-first campaigns into connected car ecosystems. Opportunities include forging partnerships with automakers and service providers for branded voice experiences, sponsored suggestions, and frictionless ordering while prioritizing transparency to satisfy safety regulators.

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Over 4 in 10 (44.4%) of US Adults are somewhat or very likely to use an AI tool like ChatGPT or Copilot to research potential purchases, according to April data from Attest.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss how Google embedding an AI chatbot into search changes things, why Anthropic’s Claude API could reshape search, and why tech companies might not be the winners of the AI search war. Join Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson, and Senior Analyst’s Gadjo Sevilla and Evelyn Mitchell-Wolf. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.

30% of employees use AI productivity tools secretly out of fear that their job might be reduced or cut, per a February Ivanti survey.

Retail media will reach $60.81 billion in 2025—adding more new dollars than Meta and Alphabet combined—and brands now rank incrementality as a top KPI. In this interview, Tinuiti’s Elizabeth Marsten lays out how to prove incremental sales, pick smarter tools, and keep measurement future-ready.

Last week’s announcements by Google to expand its AI search experiences came with big changes for advertisers. Google will offer more ads in AI Overviews and is also testing ads in its fully chat-based AI Mode.

Reddit’s Dynamic Product Ads expands to all advertisers: The move highlights Reddit’s shift from a supplemental channel to a primary platform for advertisers.

Partnerships and AI adoption powered the BNPL company’s lead over competitors.

Dozens of ads with AI voices found marketing illegal drugs on Spotify: The incident highlights the struggle to keep up with AI’s rapid development.

DoubleVerify sues Adalytics for alleged defamatory statements: The case underscores rising tension between ad verification firms and watchdog groups.

Charter Communications and Cox will merge: Though the deal could face regulatory scrutiny, it promises to revitalize the ad landscape, if successful.

YouTube introduces new offerings for ads, podcasts: The platform aims to highlight its ability to reach audiences with unmatched versatile content options.

TikTok debuts AI Alive, an image-to-video generation tool: The feature is part of TikTok’s push to maintain dominance in a competitive short-form market.

The FDA pushes aggressive timeline to implement AI-assisted drug reviews: The FDA plans to speed up drug reviews with AI by the end of June, but pharma companies already concerned about the impact of layoffs and recent drug approval delays shouldn’t see it as a silver bullet.