Last week, a viral report predicting an AI-driven economic collapse rattled financial markets. And honestly, I understand why it spread so fast. The 2028 Global Intelligence Crisis paints a clean, compelling doom narrative: AI replaces white-collar workers, consumers disappear, and the economy collapses under its own automation. But I think that story is dangerously incomplete.

In this episode, I break down Eric Seufert’s powerful counter-argument outlined in his new podcast series, The Prosperous Society, which showcases the AI bull case for advertising and the digital economy. I share snippets from Part 1: The Primacy of Distribution and add commentary about why AI may be deflationary for production but inflationary for distribution, why advertising isn’t about creating demand but routing it, and what this means for retail media in a world of AI shopping agents. 

If you work in retail media, commerce media, ad tech, or digital advertising strategy, this is a POV you need to hear.

This episode is sponsored by Mirakl Ads

Timeline

[00:00] – The viral 2028 Global Intelligence Crisis report and why its AI doomer thesis spread so quickly

[01:00] – Introducing Eric Seufert and his AI bull case for the digital economy

[02:15] – Advertising as demand routing, not demand creation, and why this distinction matters

[04:00] – How targeting shifts the value distribution and drives profitable user economics

[08:02] – AI is deflationary for production but inflationary for distribution

[10:15] – In an agentic commerce world, someone still controls the catalog (and allocation equals advertising)

Links & Resources

• The 2028 Global Intelligence Crisis report by Citrini Research
• The Prosperous Society, Part 1: The Primacy of Distribution, by Eric Seufort
• Follow Eric Seufert on LinkedIn
• Read my related articles:
  • While We Debate What's 'Really' Agentic, Retail Media's Foundation Is Already Shifting
  • 'The Biggest Change in My Lifetime' — Marketecture CSO on AI Shopping
  • Dark Search, Broken Signals, and What Comes Next for Retail Media
  • AI Is Claiming Browsing Behavior.  Commerce Media Must Compete On Its Data Advantage
  • I Really, Really Hoped That Ads in AI Wouldn't Suck. Now We Find Out.
• Join me and Jordan Witmer from Salt XC at 11am ET Thursday Feb 27, for our next LinkedIn Live on When RMNs Come Calling for Your Brand Marketing Budget. We'll be answering questions LIVE -- join us!
• Atlanta-based retail media professionals: Wednesday, February 25 is the next In-Person Atlanta Happy Hour! RSVP here.
• Subscribe to Retail Media Breakfast Club's daily newsletter
• Follow Kiri Masters on LinkedIn