AI: fear it or figure it out? This week on The Media Odyssey Podcast, Evan Shapiro and Marion Ranchet sit down with David Rudnick, CTO of LG Ad Solutions, to unpack how artificial intelligence is reshaping connected TV, from creative optimization to real-time personalization. They tackle big questions: Is AI replacing jobs or removing the boring parts? How can marketers catch viewers in their moments of interest? And what happens when your content strategy is as adaptive as your audience?

From “cutting the fat” to building trust in algorithms, this episode breaks down the hype and the hope surrounding AI in the media. Whether you’re a technophobe, a curious skeptic, or already deep in prompt engineering, Rudnick’s insights will challenge how you think about ad targeting, content curation, and the next era of storytelling. Tap in, and maybe even wake up a little more “AI curious.”

Thank you David Rudnick for joining the pod!
David Rudnick: LinkedIn

Key Takeaways:

• AI isn't replacing jobs, instead, it’s refining them: Rather than eliminating roles, AI is streamlining tedious tasks, freeing up creatives and technologists to focus on higher-value, more fulfilling work.
• CTV needs AI to compete with digital: To catch up with the personalization and precision of walled garden platforms, connected TV must adopt AI-driven strategies that match viewer intent in real time.
• Moments matter more than profiles: LG Ads is shifting from static user profiles to moment-based targeting, using AI to identify and act on fleeting interests and purchase intent as they happen.
• Infrastructure is everything: Embracing AI at scale requires serious backend investment—centralized data, scalable cloud compute, and a test-and-learn mindset that blends proprietary tools with smart partnerships.

Interested in sponsorship? https://forms.gle/2LCWfX2HBNT8mtpx8

Connect with us on Linkedin:
Evan Shapiro - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eshap-media-cartographer/
Marion Ranchet - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionranchet/

Newsletters:
Marion Ranchet - https://marionranchet.substack.com/
Evan Shapiro - https://eshap.substack.com/

00:00 Introduction 

00:49 Diving into AI: Love-Hate Relationship

03:29 AI Usage and Demographics

06:47 AI in the Workplace: Case Studies

10:17 AI's Impact on Jobs and Mental Health

18:32 Ethical Considerations and Future of AI

20:06 AI in Education and Accessibility

21:26 AI Bundling and Industry Disruption

23:51 AI's Impact on Media and Advertising

25:19 Introducing David Rudnick from LG Ads

26:32 AI in the CTV Ecosystem

27:46 The Role of Machine Learning in Advertising

30:04 Challenges and Opportunities in AI Integration

32:55 The Future of AI in Television

34:37 Embracing AI in Business

40:38 The Positive Impact of AI on Consumers

43:30 Final Thoughts and Takeaways on AI

• (00:00) - Introduction