New Research: How Marketers are Embracing AI

Welcome to a special episode of this podcast. I'm your host, Michael Stelzner, founder of Social Media Examiner. Today we're diving into groundbreaking new research that's sure to shake up the marketing world. We've just released our 2024 Generative AI Marketing Industry Report, and let me tell you, the findings are eye opening. Imagine a new tool so powerful it's being used daily by over a third of marketers. A technology so transformative that 86% believe it will fundamentally change how we work. That's just a sampling of what we'll cover in today's episode. Hey. Whether you're an AI enthusiast or just getting started dipping your toes into AI, this episode is crucial for anyone looking to future proof their marketing career. So buckle up. We're about to embark on a journey into the future of of marketing. Let's transition over to my AI co hosts. Oh, and do stick around to the end. That's where I'll review how we put today's show together.

Hey there. Ready to decode the future of marketing?

Always.

Awesome. Well, today we're diving deep into the 2024 Generative AI Marketing Industry Report put out by Social Media Examiner.

Great report.

It really is. And it's basically your cheat sheet for staying ahead of the curve when it comes to AI.

Absolutely. AI is the talk of the marketing world right now.

It really is. So let's unpack some of biggest takeaways. First things first. How many marketers are actually using AI? Is this just a fad or are we talking about a major shift?

It's definitely more than a fad. What's fascinating is the sheer number of marketers who are already integrating AI into their workflow.

Yeah, like how many are we talking?

The report says a whopping 65% are using these tools weekly.

Wow. Weekly. That's impressive. But I have to admit, I'm picturing, like, people spending hours and hours glued to their screens battling complex algorithms. Is that what's really happening?

Not at all. It's actually becoming a normal part of their day. The report found that a good chunk of marketers, 37% to be exact, use AI tools daily. That kind of daily integration really suggests it's not just about dipping their toes in the water anymore. They're diving right in daily use.

Okay, now that's really interesting. I wonder if those AI powered coffee makers are about to become a necessity. So we have a lot of marketers using AI weekly or even daily. But the report also mentioned something about this being new territory for a lot of Them, Right?

Exactly. It's really interesting, actually. You have this high adoption rate, but it's still early days for most. 62% of those surveyed have actually been using AI tools for less than a year, so.

Less than a year. Wow. That's actually kind of reassuring. Right?

You're not behind the curve.

Yeah, it's like showing up to a party early, except everyone's still figuring out how to work the music system.

I like that analogy.

Speaking of which, what are marketers actually.

Doing with AI content creation?

Of course.

Marketers are using AI to conquer content creation. We're talking 70% are using it for idea generation, and 67% are using it for those dreaded first drafts.

So it's like having a brainstorming partner and a tireless writing assistant all rolled into one.

Exactly.

That's amazing. Imagine going from staring at a blank page to. To a solid first draft without the usual writer's block. It's huge.

It's a game changer for productivity.

Okay, that's huge GE for anyone who's ever struggled with those initial creative hurdles. But it's not just blog posts and website copy, right? I've seen some pretty wild AI generated images and videos floating around out there.

You're right. The creative potential of AI is expanding beyond just words. While written content is still king, with 89% of marketers using AI for it, there's definitely a growing interest in using AI for images and videos too.

So we're potentially looking at a future where AI helps us with everything from blog posts to video scripts. My inner control freak is a little terrified, but also kind of intrigued. Out of all these shiny new AI tools, is there one that stands out from the crowd? You know the one everyone's raving about?

The report was pretty clear about that. ChatGPT is the current king of the hill. Figures it's the most used platform, and it's considered the most important by a pretty significant margin.

Yeah, even my parents are obsessed with ChatGPT, and they still think a GIF is a fancy type of gift wrap. But are there any other contenders on the Horizon? Or is ChatGPT going to rule the AI marketing kingdom forever?

Well, it might be the big name right now, but the AI landscape is constantly evolving. Google's Gemini is highlighted in the report as a potential challenger.

Interesting.

Yeah, and there's a real appetite among marketers to explore other new options as they emerge.

Okay, so it's not a one horse race. Good to know. But let's get down to brass tacks. Are marketers actually seeing results from using AI? Or is it mostly hype and novelty at this point?

This is where it gets really exciting. A significant majority of marketers, 86%, say that AI saves them time.

Okay.

And 79% report that it boosts their productivity.

Those are some serious numbers. So it's time saving and productivity boosting. It's like the ultimate productivity cocktail. Yeah, but doesn't it also kind of eliminate some of the need for creative thinking?

That's a common misconception. The report actually found that 76% of marketers feel that AI enhances their creativity.

Wait, hold on. You're telling me that AI can actually make you more creative? I thought it was all about algorithms and data crunching.

Here's the thing. AI can take care of those tedious, time consuming tasks like generating those initial drafts or brainstorming variations on a theme. This frees you up to really focus on the bigger picture, like strategy, emotional nuances, that human touch that really resonates with an audience.

So it's less about replacing human creativity and more about AI taking on the role of a creative assistant. I like that. But with any new technology, there are always concerns, right? What are marketers most worried about when it comes to AI?

You're right. No technology is without its challenges. One of the biggest concerns highlighted in the report is accuracy.

Yeah, that makes sense.

80% of marketers are worried about the reliability of AI generated content.

I've definitely seen my fair share of AI hallucinations online. Let me tell you, they don't exactly inspire confidence in a client pitch. What else?

And it's not just about outright errors. There are also concerns about bias in the content, plagiarism, even the potential for AI to be used to create misleading or harmful content.

It's a bit of a double edged sword, isn't it? All this potential, but also new risks to navigate. What about the legal side of things? I imagine copyright issues are a major concern, especially with AI generated content.

You're spot on. 71% of marketers express concern about copyright and ownership. Yeah, which is understandable. You know, there's still a lot of legal gray areas surrounding AI generated content.

Okay, so accuracy, copyright, anything else? Keeping marketers up at night, or are we all safe to hand over our jobs to the robots and enjoy an early retirement?

Funny you should mention that. The report actually found that job security fears are relatively low. Only 32% of marketers are worried about AI replacing them entirely.

Wow, that is surprising. With all the talk about AI taking over, you'd Think marketers would be frantically updating their resumes? Yeah. That is surprising. With all this talk about AI taking over, I figured marketers would be like frantically updating their resumes. Why so optimistic?

I think it reflects a growing understanding that AI, at least right now, is more. More of a really powerful tool than a job stealing robot. It's about working smarter, not being replaced.

So less robots are taking our jobs and more robots are taking over those tedious tasks we secretly hate anyway.

Exactly. And it's empowering. Right? The report found that 86% of marketers believe AI will fundamentally change how marketing is done, but in a good way.

Interesting. So change is inevitable, but it doesn't have to be scary. In fact, it could be a chance to level up our skills and focus on what we humans do best. Right, but with all this information swirling around, what's the key takeaway for marketers listening right now? What should they actually do?

Honestly, don't panic. We're all figuring this out together. The most important thing is to just start exploring.

Okay. Easier said than done if you're like, still trying to figure out the difference between an algorithm and an avocado.

True, but there are so many incredible resources available now. I always say start small, play around with ChatGPT a little, explore some other AI tools that pique your interest. The goal is to figure out how AI can help you overcome your specific challenges.

So if writer's block is my nemesis, AI could be my new best friend.

Precisely. Or, you know, if you're drowning in repetitive tasks every day, AI could automate those, free you up to focus on more of the strategic, creative way work.

It's like having a Swiss army knife for marketing tasks. But just having the tool isn't enough, is it? You need to know how to actually use it effectively.

Absolutely. That's where the strategic thinking comes in.

Right.

Don't just jump on the AI bandwagon because everyone else is. Think about how you can actually leverage these tools to gain a competitive edge in your industry.

So it's less about keeping up with the Joneses and more about using AI to become the Joneses. I love that.

Exactly. This might mean experimenting with different platforms, finding those creative ways to use AI in in your specific niche, or even just mastering the art of writing effective prompts.

Because a well crafted prompt is the difference between AI magic and AI gibberish. Yes, trust me, I've been there. This has been incredibly eye opening. But before we wrap up, any final thoughts to really make our listeners think about the future of AI and marketing.

You know, we talked about marketer concerns earlier, and one that really stood out to me was this desire for AI generated content to be more human, like more emotionally resonant.

It's true. Even the most advanced AI still can't quite replicate that genuine human spark.

Exactly. And I think this highlights something really crucial. While AI is undoubtedly a powerful tool, the human element in marketing, that's still essential.

So it's not about AI versus humans. It's about AI and humans working together to create something even better.

Precisely. The future belongs to those who can master both.

Now that is a thought to leave us on a huge thank you to our expert for guiding us through this deep dive. Thank you for. And to our listeners, we hope you're feeling informed, inspired, and ready to embrace the possibilities of AI in marketing. Until next time, happy marketing.

And on that note, we are going to take a quick break, but when we come back, we're diving into what all this means for your career. Don't go anywhere.

Welcome back to the Deep Dive. We've covered a ton of ground, haven't we?

We really have. It's been quite a ride.

AI adoption rates, those crazy stats, the skills you need to survive, thrive even.

And I think this is a good time to kind of shift gears a little bit.

Okay. Yeah.

Because we love to end these deep dives with something, you know, a little thought provoking. Thought provoking. Something beyond the how tos. Something to really chew on. Love it.

Me, me.

So we've been talking about us marketers and how we can use AI to do all these amazing things.

Right, Right.

But what about the people on the other side of all this?

The customers, our audience.

Yeah, yeah, good point. It's easy to get caught up in the shiny new tools and all that, but at the end of the day.

It'S about humans connecting with humans.

Exactly. So as AI content becomes, well, everywhere, the big question is, how are people going to feel about it?

Exactly. Will they embrace it? Will they be skeptical?

Will they even know?

Yeah, that's the million dollar question, isn't it?

It really is. What do you think?

I think transparency is going to be key here.

Transparency, okay.

If brands are upfront about using AI.

Like, hey, we use AI to make this.

Exactly. If people know what's going on, it could actually build trust.

Because people fear what they don't understand. Right. That's what they say.

100%. So by being open, we demystify it. We're not trying to trick anyone.

Yeah. It's like that moment you Realize you've been talking to a chatbot. You feel kind of, I don't know.

A little lied to.

Yeah. Like, wait a minute.

Yeah. You feel a little tricked.

So if we're upfront about it.

Exactly. It's about saying, hey, we're using AI, but here's how. Right. Here's the data we're collecting, and here's how it actually benefits you as the customer.

So it's not just about being transparent about using AI, it's about being transparent about how it's actually benefiting everyone involved.

Exactly. It's about building that trust, which, let's.

Be real, trust is at the heart of any relationship, 100%.

And the relationship between a brand and its customers is no different.

It all comes back to trust.

It really does.

Well, I'd say this report gave us a lot more than we bargained for.

Me too. More to think about, that's for sure.

Not just how to use AI, but, you know, the big picture stuff, the.

Ethical considerations, the potential impact down the road.

Yeah. Like we said, it's about humans connecting with humans.

Absolutely.

Well said. Well, on that note, a huge thank you to everyone who joined us for this deep dive into the world of AI marketing.

It's been a pleasure.

We hope you learned a ton, maybe had a few laughs along the way.

And most importantly, that you came away feeling a little more prepared for whatever's next.

Absolutely. Until next time, keep exploring, keep asking questions, and keep that AI conversation going. We'll see you soon.

Okay. Was that mind blowing or what? I bet you could barely tell that those were not humans chatting together. The laughter, the way they're interrupting each other, completing each other's sentences. I mean, like crazy, right? Everyone I've ever showed that clip to has been like, blown mind blown. Right. They don't complete sentences. They talk like real people. I'll share more about how I did that in just a second. If you want to check out the full report, head over to social mediaexaminer.com/AI Report 2024. I'm really excited about this report because it addresses a lot of the big questions marketers have in their mind. How are marketers using generative AI when it comes to creating content? What are the major tasks that marketers are performing with AI? How is it benefiting them? What are the top concerns marketers have when it comes to AI? What are their future plans? What are the tools they're using? What are the tools they want to use? What do they want to learn more about? We're covering all that and more and more in this free report. Again, go to socialmediaexaminer.com AI Report2024 to get your hands on this 38 page document, which I think you're going to really find a lot of value in. Okay, how in the world did I create this podcast episode? Well, I'm going to reveal it all right now. First thing I did was the intro that I read to you was generated by AI. But it wasn't just write me an intro. What I did was I went to Claude AI and I dropped a PDF of the report in there and I asked it the following. Help me write a podcast script intro for a special episode of the social media marketing podcast revealing the results from the report. I just asked it to write me an intro. Then I edited a little bit because it just had maybe one or two sentences I didn't think were perfect. And then the really cool part with the AIs talking to each other, that was done. And I bet you that blew your mind, right? That was done by NotebookLM. NotebookLM is an experiment from Google. And by the way, NotebookLM, Google will get you to the place where you can experiment with this. The way it works is you upload your data into it. I dropped in the PDF file and basically it allows you. It tells you that your data is not going to be going up into the cloud, it's not going to be training their larger language learning model. And then it allows you to basically query the PDF or whatever documents you load into it. And this is where it got really intriguing. There was this button called Audio Overview. And I clicked it and about three minutes later I got an audio file which was the version that you heard for the first 10 or so minutes. Then I deleted the audio file and I decided to render another one just to see if it would be the same. And it was completely different. Did it a third time. And on the third one, I just captured a second, a section of it that I thought was really intriguing. Like the part where they laughed and the part where they kind of went beyond the report and said, what might this mean for the future? I thought it was really, really intriguing for me because it kind of helped get, quote, unquote, another set of eyes, in this case, AI eyes on my report. And it helped me really kind of identify some interesting, if you will, take homes or things that people might find of value. And I decided that I was just going to go ahead and release a special podcast episode. So what an amazing feature and tool that Notebook LM does. It's just absolutely mind blowing. So there you have it. First of all, me actually using AI to help me create the opening for this actual podcast. Secondly, you experiencing something completely unique, perhaps for the first time, hearing two AIs interacting in a really interacting way, which is kind of phenomenal, but also in a very coherent way. So let me again encourage you to go check out the 2024 Generative AI Marketing Report is completely free. Head on over to social media examiner.com AI Report2024 and if you don't remember that URL, look in the notes on your podcast app. Whatever you're listening to, you should see it there. I'll say it one more time. Socialmediaexaminer.com AI Report 2024 I'm Michael Stelzner. Thank you so much for listening today, and I hope you have an amazing.