How different sectors are adapting to AI innovation
Learn how AI is being utilized in different sectors, with examples of its impact on innovation, process improvement, and growth strategies.
At Advertising Week New York 2024, industry leaders from Brand.AI, Uber Advertising, and Skai Blue Media discussed "Anticipating the Next Big Thing: How AI Discovers Emerging Trends". The panel explored how AI is transforming marketing by predicting shifts in consumer behavior. Panelists emphasized their distinct perspectives—representing a platform, a brand, and an agency—on how AI fosters collaboration instead of replacing jobs.
They highlighted specific uses of AI in their fields, showcasing its growing influence across industries through tools like predictive analytics and social listening.
Platform perspective: Chelsey Susin Kantor, Brand.AI
Chelsey Susin Kantor, founder of Brand.AI, spoke about her AI journey, starting at Google during the company’s shift from mobile-first to AI-first in 2016. Her aim with Brand.AI is to use AI as a “copilot” rather than just a task manager, assisting marketers in generating creative ideas. She noted a major change after the release of ChatGPT in 2022, which enabled direct interaction with AI and opened up new creative possibilities.
Kantor stressed that AI’s role is shifting from back-office automation to a core function in marketing departments. While some brands remain hesitant, she explained that proper training and integration of AI aligned with brand values can result in significant creative benefits. As Kantor put it, “I don’t think any creative person is at risk of losing their job because AI does not have taste.”
Brand perspective: Dorothy Ann Advincula, Uber Advertising
Dorothy Ann Advincula, global lead at Uber Advertising, focused on how AI helps make sense of the vast amounts of data Uber generates. Advincula shared an example of an advertiser who entered a meeting with four specific goals but left with a multitude of new ideas, thanks to AI's ability to reveal deeper insights from data.
Advincula described AI as a partner that brands should embrace rather than fear. She encouraged marketers to build a relationship with AI, stating, “If you’re afraid of it right now, spend the time to get to know it.” AI, for her, isn’t the end—it’s about what you do with the insights it offers. AI has enabled Uber to create more precise and impactful advertising strategies.
Agency perspective: Rakia Reynolds, Skai Blue Media
Rakia Reynolds of Skai Blue Media brought an ethical lens to the discussion, emphasizing her early concerns about AI’s potential for harm when misused. Reynolds noted that her agency has been experimenting with AI since 2016 but has always prioritized “ethical intelligence” to ensure that the technology serves communities rather than causing damage. She explained how missteps, like an AI-generated press release that lacked authenticity, underscored the need for human oversight.
Reynolds sees AI as a creative partner that can amplify human work. Her goal is to use AI to support positive change and avoid the pitfalls of oversimplification in marketing efforts. “AI is more of a copilot, it’s a partner, it’s an amplifier. This is your friend,” she emphasized, underscoring AI's potential to elevate creativity without losing human empathy.
The discussion at Advertising Week New York 2024 highlighted AI’s role as a supportive tool that enhances human creativity and insight rather than replacing jobs. From platforms like Brand.AI to large-scale brands like Uber and agencies like Skai Blue Media, AI is becoming an integral part of the marketing ecosystem.
The speakers emphasized that AI is not a threat but a collaborator, helping brands sift through vast data and spot emerging trends. AI allows marketers to focus on what they do best—creativity and strategic decision-making—while benefiting from the power of advanced analytics. As summarized by Advincula, “The outcome is what you do with the results, and the outcome is yours.” This conversation offers proof that AI, when used thoughtfully, enhances rather than detracts from human creativity.
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