Smarter Marketers, Not Smarter Machines

The AI marketing landscape is evolving rapidly, and this week, we’re tackling the growing importance of AI skills over AI models, the shifting workforce landscape, and how marketers should be shaping AI’s role in creative strategy. Let’s dive in.

🔥 This Week's Hot Takes: AI Marketing Edition

Why AI Skills Matter More Than AI Models (The Neuron Daily) – It’s not the AI models that will set professionals apart—it’s their ability to use them effectively. Companies are prioritizing AI literacy in hiring, with a focus on strategic thinking over technical expertise.

Marketers Must Tread Carefully as AI Becomes a Workplace Staple (eMarketer) – AI is integrating deeper into marketing workflows, but experts warn of ethical concerns, content quality issues, and the risk of over-reliance on automation.

The Geography of Generative AI’s Workforce Impacts (Brookings) – Unlike previous automation waves, AI’s job impact is expected to hit white-collar roles first, with ripple effects varying by region. Cities with strong tech sectors may see the biggest changes.

Agencies Must Shape AI’s Role in Creative Work (eMarketer) – AI’s role in marketing creativity isn’t set in stone. Thought leaders argue that agencies must actively define how AI fits into brand storytelling to ensure it enhances rather than diminishes creative value.

9 Lessons for Smarter AI Use in Marketing (Forbes) – From human oversight to AI-enhanced customer personalization, this guide lays out nine key takeaways for marketers looking to use AI more effectively.

CMO AI Adoption Strategy: Initial Steps (MarketingProfs) – Many CMOs remain hesitant about AI adoption. This piece highlights practical first steps for integrating AI into marketing strategies, including aligning AI investments with business goals.

🧪 The Alchemist's Lab: Tools I've Been Testing

Ideogram.ai – A new AI-powered text-to-image tool that offers impressive typography capabilities. Marketers can use it to create compelling branded visuals, though customization remains somewhat limited.

Perplexity Deep Research – An AI-powered research assistant designed for in-depth information retrieval. Ideal for marketers who need comprehensive market analysis and competitive intelligence without the noise of standard search engines.

💼 Industry Moves & Grooves

• AI’s growing role in marketing is shifting hiring priorities, with an emphasis on AI literacy and strategic oversight rather than pure technical skills. (The Neuron Daily)

• Agencies are urged to take an active role in defining AI’s creative function, ensuring it serves as an enhancement rather than a shortcut. (eMarketer)

🎓 AI Marketing Master Class Moment

Content Marketers’ Crash Course – Join my upcoming session on AI for content marketing and learn how to craft AI-powered content strategies, optimize workflows, and elevate your storytelling. (MarketingProfs)

🤖 AI Whispers (That You'll Want to Shout About)

AI’s impact is growing, but marketers must tread carefully. While AI literacy is now a must-have skill, automation is not a substitute for strategic oversight. The key to success? Blending AI efficiency with human creativity to craft experiences that resonate rather than just generate.

📊 The Number That Made Me Spill My Green Tea

95% of US professionals use some form of AI in work or their personal lives, per Fortanix’s 2025 State of Data Security in GenAI Report (eMarketer).

🔗 Your Weekend AI Marketing Read

Perplexity AI’s Deep Research Feature is Available Now—Here’s How to Try It for Free – A detailed look at Perplexity AI’s new research tool and how marketers can leverage it for deep insights and competitive analysis. (Tom’s Guide)

That's a wrap on this week's AI marketing alchemy! Keep experimenting, keep transforming, and remember - true magic happens when we blend AI efficiency with human creativity.

Crafted with passion (and a dash of AI alchemy) by Lisa Peyton | AI Marketer, Professor, and Innovator

Let's connect in the digital realm: https://linktr.ee/lisapeyton

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