Microsoft and Google report solid quarterly results amid slow economy: With AI transforming the future of search, is Microsoft gaining a perceived edge in innovation?

Google’s generative AI is a landmark moment for advertising: Legal issues have slowed generative AI’s use, but the ad duopoly’s support will start a flood.

“[AI] really does raise the bar in terms of what people are going to expect from you,” our analyst Jeremy Goldman said on our recent “ChatGPT and Generative AI” panel. As AI matures, it will become more specialized, automating mundane tasks, ushering in personalization, and changing the way consumers, retailers, and marketers use the internet. Here are eight predictions for that not-so-distant future.

Even as suspicions surrounding ChatGPT and generative AI swirl, marketers know the new tech will turn search—and its ad dollars—on its head. As search shifts toward chatbots, the way brands advertise with Google and Microsoft will change completely, creating problems for publishers and agencies.

On today's episode, we discuss whether Microsoft’s AI-powered Bing can take share from Google, if social platforms can compete with Amazon on product search, and what to make of the idea that Apple might release its own search engine. "In Other News," we talk about what watching Peacock in the metaverse looks like and how people feel about all of their subscriptions. Tune in to the discussion with our director of forecasting Peter Newman and analyst Max Willens.

What Google’s rumored AI search engine means for digital advertising: Internal documents show that ad placements are top-of-mind as Google plunges into AI.

Google, Musk, and OpenAI moves show corporate Darwinism in AI race: As tech gets closer to the holy grail of AGI, it’s getting harder for companies to apply the brakes.

Following GPT-4’s impressive introduction, everyone is racing to incorporate generative AI into their operations: Google launched Bard to some disappointment, Amazon entered the AI race, and Quora wants to create “the universal AI messaging client.” Here are the latest generative AI updates and what they mean for marketers.

With Bedrock, Amazon courts an array of AI startups: The platform offers a smorgasbord of generative AI tools for enterprise. But moves by Databricks and Meta could take model training in-house.

US consumers are increasingly turning to Walmart.com, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok to start their online shopping searches, according to Jungle Scout. Amazon, search engines, and Facebook have lost share since Q1 2022.

The risks and benefits of generative AI in healthcare: The AI craze is triggering mixed feelings in healthcare communities as tech players continue to tout their tools for healthcare tasks.

Uncertainty looms over ad industry, producing a loss of 2,100 jobs in March: As AI advances and regulations toughen, agencies are caught in a difficult position.

Over the past month, we’ve seen ad updates from all the major players, from Meta’s generative AI ads to Google’s attempts to decrease clutter. Here’s what they mean for advertisers.

The influencer landscape is more crowded than ever, even as creator funding dries up. Leveraging smaller influencers will help your brand focus a limited budget toward a targeted audience. “We’ve had sleeper hits [with] micro-influencers,” said Fernish CMO Evelyn Krasnow, speaking at eTail West 2023 in March. Finding the right influencers is “going to be trial and error,” said Krasnow. Here are tips for finding smaller influencers who can reach niche, targeted audiences.

Gen Zs are more likely to start their shopping journey on TikTok than Google: They’re also less likely to cut back on discretionary spending, despite inflation.

Marketers shouldn’t be waiting for Google to make a move on third-party cookie deprecation or for more privacy laws to come down the pipeline; they need to start exploring the complex landscape of identity solutions now, combining deterministic and probabilistic approaches to achieve maximum effectiveness.

A chatbot-induced suicide could get regulators' attention: AI’s Eliza effect is triggering mental health issues. Companies will struggle to balance entertainment value with safety amid the AI arms race.

Search advertising industry could be monetizing AI chats too soon: Much rides on Bing Chat ads—and how it impacts user experience.

Ad-supported video gains viewership, time spent on digital video surpasses TV, and streaming services pivot from audience growth to profitability.

As Bing makes inroads into Google’s lead, it experiments with AI ads: Disney and Roku layoffs and pivots by Twitter and ByteDance dominated headlines this past week.