More than 40% of AI and machine learning (ML) decision-makers worldwide highlighted improvements to their product or service quality as their primary driver for developing AI and ML applications, per a survey by S&P Global Market Intelligence. The same group of decision-makers also agree that cost savings in both IT and operational efficiencies (39%) and increasing innovation (39%) are primary drivers.

Microsoft is picking up ad spend by improving search, social, and video features, as well as improving ad targeting and measurement. The company is also inserting itself into the rapidly growing retail media market. In the last few weeks, Microsoft has announced a slew of updates that will help it expand its business.

AI marketing company Jasper has been in the news after cutting its valuation and bringing on Dropbox’s former president as CEO. The tech company, which released a new end-to-end marketing tool in June, faces competition from OpenAI’s ChatGPT and the old guard of Microsoft and Google. But Jasper is unique in its ease of use and specific aim as a marketing tool.

It’s the first state to require insurers to establish such rules. As others consider similar laws, insurers need to stay one step ahead in combating bias.

Key stat: 92% of local marketing and SEO professionals worldwide experimented most with ChatGPT in their work in July 2023, according to an August survey by SurveyMonkey.

ChatGPT use has declined over the past few months, but AI isn’t going anywhere. Retailers are innovating with their own homegrown and acquired AI tools to scale listings, improve search, and enhance personalizations.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss the speed of AI adoption, what to make of ChatGPT's engagement lull, and how Nvidia is shaping AI's future. "In Other News," we talk about how Roblox's AI assistant could transform gaming and how Amazon is using its neural network to improve the NFL's game-watching experience. Tune in to the discussion with our analysts Jacob Bourne and Gadjo Sevilla.

As AI and attention metrics become more commonly used, and addressability practices are reevaluated in response to cookie deprecation, the way marketers plan, buy, and measure are evolving.

Klaviyo's IPO shines a spotlight on email marketing's vast reach: AI and personalization emerge as key strategies for brand engagement.

Generative AI and embedded finance popped up across a host of conversations—we give our take on how firms should approach these innovations.

The explosion of generative AI has moved the “dream” of one-to-one messaging personalized for each consumer closer to reality—but concerns remain. Here are four questions surrounding personalization right now.

Google will require strict disclosures from AI-generated political ads: The company announced the rule change ahead of the most expensive election season yet.

“[Meta] has become more profitable for sure, but it is a leaner, meaner, and hopefully more efficient company,” our analyst Debra Aho Williamson said on a recent episode of “Behind the Numbers.” The company’s 21,000 jobs cuts certainly helped boost its margins. “I think that this sets Meta up for a much better second half of this year.”

Key stat: Among US consumers ages 18 to 44, 53% prefer digital to phone when receiving help with a product- or service-related question, while just 35% of consumers ages 45 to 75 favor digital to phone, per Verint.

While Meta, Google, Apple, and programmatic display are all investment areas for M&C Saatchi Performance, the agency is shaking up some approaches for 2024. “We’re investing in all the tried-and-true performance basics,” said Jonathan Yantz, managing partner at M&C Saatchi Performance. “But we’re most excited about the CTV [connected TV] and influencer/creator spaces, since both are so dynamic now.”

Instacart rolled out several updates to its Instacart Storefront platform: It added AI-powered conversational search and an in-store mode to its omnichannel digital commerce platform.

Fewer than a third of US shoppers turn to department stores’ websites (31%) or brick-and-mortar locations (24%) when conducting beauty research, according to a May survey conducted by PowerReviews. In contrast, 71% turn to a specialty retailer’s website when researching new products.

B2B digital ad spending will continue to grow at a slower pace across key industries in 2023. More B2B buyers are millennials and Gen Zers, shifting ad buys from search to display, from Google to social media, and from desktop to mobile.

Amazon’s advertising division ranked highest in our Power of Amazon in 2023 report. Its retail ecommerce division, Amazon’s biggest business by dollars, lost share between our initial rankings in 2021 and our current forecast.