AI proves it can’t replace marketers:  In 2023, fintech company Klarna replaced its marketing function with AI. The next year, it did the same with customer service. Guess who is now looking for humans to do those jobs?

CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski: “Cost unfortunately seems to have been a too predominant evaluation factor when organizing this, what you end up having is lower quality.” That’s a lot of words to say, “Oooops.”

This underscores Talisha Padgett’s point that it doesn’t matter what AI you use if your people aren’t ready. AI is a tool, not a replacement, and there’s no point in having a tool people won’t use.

Constantine von Hoffman
Managing Editor

Marketing artificial intelligence (AI)

If your teams aren’t ready for AI, then your tools won’t matter

AI alone won't transform your company — your people will. Learn how to lead mindset shifts and build trust to drive real AI transformation.

Marketing operations (MOps)

Why the future of marketing depends on a smarter MOps function

Technology is transforming MOps into a strategic powerhouse. Learn what this means for your team and organization.

Salesforce

Salesforce announces initiatives to bring trust and governance to AI agents

Without governance and guardrails, AI agents are a disaster waiting to happen. And Salesforce wants no part of AI agent disasters.

Brand loyalty

2025 will redefine loyalty. Here’s what that means for brands.

New expectations are emerging around transparency, values, and real-time relevance. Is your brand ready to meet them?

Marketing artificial intelligence (AI)

The latest AI-powered martech news and releases

Klarna replaced its marketing team with AI, only to learn that AI marketing is terrible. The Swedish fintech company wants humans back ASAP.

Marketing artificial intelligence (AI)

How to choose the right marketing AI tools for real business impact

GenAI success depends on strategic use, smart investments and strong governance—not just experimentation.

Marketing artificial intelligence (AI)

5 ways marketers are actually using AI to get more done

This guide covers five grounded, real-world ways marketers are using AI right now to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality.

Performance marketing

5 suggestions for moving beyond MQLs

MQL is more disinformation than data. Uncover why it fails and how to build smarter, more accurate go-to-market strategies.

What else we're reading

• Why genAI is bad for brainstorming
• SaaStr founder is scared to buy new SaaS apps
• Your CMO wants what?
• What makes virtual influencers so effective?
• The flight to marketing “safety”
• Looking for resources on innovative B2B marketing?

MarTech research

• NEW! Get the 2025 State of Your Stack Survey report by downloading the PDF, flipping through a carousel, listening to a discussion of the results or watching the keynote session from the Spring 2025 MarTech Conference — all without registration.

MarTech Intelligence Reports are in-depth, independent and indispensable. They’re designed to help marketers navigate the martech landscape with questions to ask during the buying process, vendor profiles and more.

Download your Intelligence Report today:

• NEW: Generative AI for Content Creation
• B2B Data Enrichment and Hygiene
• Email Marketing Platforms
• Identity Resolution Platforms
• Marketing Work Management Platforms
• Marketing Automation Platforms
• Customer Data Platforms.
• Call Analytics and Conversational Intelligence

What they're saying

• “AI transformation goes beyond technology. Although AI is already part of daily life for people and companies, it is a big step from using AI to transforming your team, department or company. It requires thinking big and reimagining how you conduct business.” – Talisha Padgett in If your teams aren’t ready for AI, then your tools won’t matter.

• “There’s no question that MOps is evolving rapidly. While some of this evolution will unfold gradually, MOps teams behind the curve on any of it must act now. Those who embrace new technologies, deepen their strategic focus and commit to continuous learning won’t just keep pace — they’ll lead.” – Greg Kihlstrom in ​​Why the future of marketing depends on a smarter MOps function.

From Search Engine Land