Brands still matter — but actually reaching people in a real way? That’s the tough part. Here’s how AI is helping brands connect better by 2030

Looking toward 2030, it’s clear that AI is doing more than just improving marketing — it’s changing it completely. According to a recent McKinsey study, 87% of C-level executives say brand building is their top priority. So yes, brand building matters, and it always will. Brands connect with people through emotions, and ads are what carry those emotions to them. But what if people don’t want to connect with your brand anymore?

Advertising has always been the go-to solution, but today, people are willing to pay just to avoid ads. And then there’s the emotional side — most ads are still focused on making people “watch.” But to really engage people, we need to go beyond watching and create real experiences. To do that, media and research need to be more tech-driven.

Today, 70% of global ad spend is digital. And many CMOs are so in love with their brands and so deeply immersed in traditional research methods to understand the consumer that they overlook the most crucial way to reach people. But that’s not even the main issue. I’m talking about something bigger than digital — I’m talking about embedding intelligence at the very heart of your brand

Tech integration isn’t something marketing teams can just hand off — it needs to become part of the team culture. I believe we’re entering a new era in marketing, with AI leading the way. 🤖 Let’s look at where advertising could be in five years and how we’ve gotten to this point.

🔍 A Quick Look Back: The Evolution of Advertising

Advertising has come a long way from billboards and TV ads. In the last few decades, it’s turned into a complex, data-driven world where brands work to engage and influence people online. Let’s take a quick journey from the early days to where we’re heading by 2030.

💻 1995: The Start of Digital Ads
In 1995, digital advertising was just beginning. Banner ads and email marketing were new, laying the groundwork for a digital world. TV, radio, and print were still the big players, with huge brand-centered campaigns aimed at catching attention with bold visuals and celebrity endorsements.

📱 2010: Social Media and Programmatic Ads Take Over
By 2010, social media had changed the game. Platforms like Facebook and Twitter allowed brands to connect with people in new ways. Programmatic advertising made buying ads more efficient, and retargeting became common. Big data was just beginning to reshape ad strategies, giving brands a deeper understanding of their audiences.

✨ 2023: AI has been awakened
With ChatGPT hitting 100 million users at record speed, generative AI is already making waves in content creation, media, and research. Now, marketing teams are getting their first tech KPIs through AI integration. We’re starting to see the real impact of AI

🌐 2030 Predictions: AI, Automation, and Immersive Experiences

By 2030, advertising could feel like a whole new world, blending AI, interactive experiences, and sustainability. Here’s what we might see:

🤖 1. AI and Automation in Advertising

• Fully Automated Campaigns: AI could manage everything, from planning, targeting and distributing ads in real-time.
• Predictive Targeting: AI could create personal journeys for people, delivering ads that are relevant before they even start looking.

👓 2. Smart Glasses and AR Ads

• Interactive Experiences: Smart glasses could become common, letting people interact with products in mixed reality context that feel real and personal.

🔍 3. Ethical and Transparent Advertising

• Ethical AI Standards: With more AI use, advertisers may follow strict standards to keep things transparent and fair.
• Consumer Control Over Ads: People may have more control over the ads they see, choosing things like ad frequency and relevance.

🌱 4. Sustainability as a Core Value

• Green Ads: Sustainable ad practices could become the norm, with eco-friendly campaigns promoting things like recycling.
• Circular Economy Campaigns: Brands might encourage people to make eco-conscious choices, like reusing and recycling.

📊 5. New Ways to Measure Impact

• Real-Time Metrics: Advanced data could give real-time insights, letting brands quickly adjust their strategies.
• Emotional Analytics: AI might track emotions, helping brands create campaigns that connect on a deeper level.

🚀 Where We’re Headed

From 1995 to 2030, advertising will have transformed from traditional media to immersive, AI-driven experiences. By 2030, ads might feel more like natural, personalized interactions rather than interruptions. It’s an exciting time to be in advertising, and I’m looking forward to seeing where we go next.

Thanks for joining me on this journey through the past, present, and future of advertising. Let’s keep pushing forward, responsibly. 💪

If you’re curious about how AI can transform your brand’s advertising strategy, I’d love for you to explore what we’re building at Adin.AI. It might just be the tool you need to reach your audience in a meaningful way. ✨ adin.ai

What’s Next?

Embed Intelligence into the Heart of Your Brand in 5 Steps 🧬

Want to make your brand smarter and more connected? I’ll be sharing a 5-step guide to embedding intelligence right at the core of your brand. Stay tuned for the next post!