In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole.

Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn and at troutmanstreetaudio.com. You can hear the difference.

Our guest this week is Mike Montague, a seasoned AI marketing expert and founder, who shares his insights on how AI is reshaping the marketing landscape. In this engaging show, we explore the balance between technology and human ingenuity, addressing ethical considerations, evolving strategies, and the potential pitfalls of over-dependence on automation.

• AI and Human Collaboration: Mike Montague emphasizes the importance of adopting a "human first" approach in AI marketing, insisting that while AI can significantly boost efficiency, the human element remains vital for fostering creativity and providing context. He strongly advocates for leveraging AI as a tool to enhance, rather than replace, human creativity, ensuring that the personal touch remains at the forefront of marketing endeavors.
• Ethical Use of AI: Montague highlights pressing ethical concerns surrounding AI, particularly focusing on issues such as data privacy and the evolving nature of intellectual property. He suggests that as AI becomes more integrated into creative processes, traditional notions of intellectual property may become obsolete, emphasizing the importance of crediting and supporting the original creators of content.
• Marketing Strategy Evolution: According to Montague, AI tools have revolutionized the marketing landscape, making it easier for small and medium-sized businesses to compete on a more level playing field with larger brands. This technological shift allows smaller companies to produce high-quality content without the need for extensive resources that were once necessary.
• Challenges with AI in Marketing: Montague cautions against the dangers of over-reliance on AI, which can lead to the creation of generic or spammy content that fails to resonate with audiences. He advises marketers to prioritize building genuine connections with their audience, rather than exploiting AI's capabilities to spam or manufacture fake engagements, ensuring that authenticity remains a key focus.

References

Books

• "A Thousand True Fans" by John Longhurst
• "What to Do When It's Your Turn" by Seth Godin
• "Duct Tape Marketing" by Jon Jantsch

Movies

• Iron Man
• Terminator

Online Resources

• Lex Fridman's YouTube channel and podcast
• Anne Handley's email newsletter