Summary

In this conversation, Mike Montague and Anastassia explore the transformative impact of AI on marketing. They discuss the initial awakening to AI's potential, common misconceptions, and the importance of a human-centric approach. The dialogue delves into the balance between AI and human creativity, the challenges of trust, and the ongoing debate surrounding copyright issues. They share success stories of AI in marketing and conclude with insights on future trends to watch in the evolving landscape of AI-driven marketing.

Mike Montague is a leading AI marketing expert, entrepreneur, and speaker. As the founder of Avenue9, Mike helps small and mid-sized businesses harness the power of AI to expand their marketing impact, while never losing the authentic, personal touch that resonates with customers. With over 25 years of experience in internet marketing, sales, and public speaking, Mike’s career has included building and launching digital brands, leading content strategy for top organizations like Sandler Training, and the "Human-First AI Marketing" podcast.

Takeaways

• AI has revolutionized productivity in marketing.
• Misconceptions about AI often lead to unrealistic expectations.
• Human skills are essential for effective AI integration.
• AI should enhance, not replace, human creativity.
• Trust in AI requires understanding its limitations.
• Copyright laws may struggle to keep up with AI advancements.
• Successful AI marketing requires personalization and understanding of the audience.
• Data privacy concerns are paramount in AI applications.
• The future of marketing will see increased automation and predictive analytics.
• Small businesses can leverage AI to compete with larger brands.

Chapters

01:49 The Awakening: AI's Impact on Marketing

04:01 Understanding AI Misconceptions in Marketing

07:26 Human-Centric AI: Enhancing Skills and Creativity

11:23 The Role of AI in Creative Marketing

14:30 Navigating Copyright and AI's Use of Creative Works

18:56 AI's Success Stories and Pitfalls in Marketing

24:05 The Future of AI in Marketing: Trends to Watch

Mike’s and Anastassia’s Information:

Mike Montague

Human-First AI Marketing Podcast

First Public Reading, Romy, Roby and the Secrets of Sleep (1/3)

First Public Reading, Romy, Roby and the Secrets of Sleep (2/3)

First Public Reading, Romy, Roby and the Secrets of Sleep (3/3)

@romyandroby

“Leading Through Disruption”

AI Edutainment

The AI Imperative Book

Romy & Roby Book

Summary:

This episode launches a new series in which Anastassia and her co-host, Dr. Matthias Röder, explore the intersection of AI and human excellence. They discuss the potential of AI to both challenge and enhance human skills, the importance of maintaining a balance between focus and openness, and the role of AI in various fields such as music, education, and business. Series' title "Beyond Human" to emphasize our belief that AI – when studied and applied with insight, understanding, and thoughtfulness – can enhance human performance and creativity.

The first conversation explores the philosophical perspectives of Aristotle and Socrates on human excellence, examining how these ideas can be applied in the age of AI. Problems to ponder about, and how interdisciplinarity can work wonders in finding groundbreaking solutions to them. The 2025 theme of the Biennale in Venice is mentioned ("Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective.") Besides, Anastassia and Matthias discuss music, highlighting how the real magic begins when composers and musicologists explore the so-called' edge cases' of AI for inspiration and innovation.

Subsequent episodes will explore AI tools, creators utilizing AI in art, and the questions of how AI can enable not only problem-solving but also crystallizing what problems are essential to work on, as well as the future outlook of AI in and for human excellence.

Dr. Matthias Röder is an award-winning music and technology strategist, renowned for his pioneering work at the intersection of creativity, AI, and cultural innovation. Röder led the celebrated "Beethoven X" project, where AI was used to complete Beethoven’s 10th Symphony, setting a global benchmark for human-machine creative collaboration. Matthias serves on the board of the Mozarteum Foundation.

Dr. Anastassia Lauterbach is an entrepreneur, global technology strategist, bestselling author, and board director specializing in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. She is the founder and CEO of AI Edutainment, advising tech companies, investment funds, and boards across Europe and the US on innovation, governance, and risk management.​ With a background in computational linguistics and psychology, Anastassia has held senior positions at major corporations including Qualcomm, Deutsche Telekom, T-Mobile, McKinsey, Munich Re, and Daimler. She also served on the boards of easyJet, Dun & Bradstreet, Censhare, and Wirecard, and was a co-founding member of the Nasdaq Next Generation Directors Advisory Council.​

Key Takeaways:

AI can challenge and enhance human skills and excellence.

Aristotle viewed excellence as a moral virtue developed through habits.

Socrates believed in using one's potential to the fullest.

Richard Feynman used a dozen open questions to make breakthrough contributions in science.

Excellence requires personal effort and wide curiosity.

AI literacy is essential for navigating the digital age.

The role of AI in music and creativity is evolving.

AI can help define and solve complex problems.

Overreliance on AI poses risks in various fields.

Human preparedness is key to benefiting from AI.

The true beauty happens when a skilled human looks into the edge cases of AIs to discover unexpected solutions, spark creativity, and push innovation.

Chapters:

· 00:00:00 Introduction to AI Snacks new series

· 00:03:00 AI and Human Excellence

· 00:09:00 Philosophical Perspectives on Excellence

· 00:15:00 AI in Music and Creativity

· 00:21:00 Navigating the Digital Age

· 00:27:00 The Future of AI and Human Potential

Summary

The global SEO (Search Engine Optimization) business is massive, with the SEO services industry projected to reach nearly $107 billion in 2025, and the SEO software sector valued at about $85 billion this year. Rapid growth is fueled by e-commerce and the integration of AI. AI search is already mainstream, but we still struggle to understand how it interacts with traditional search.

Join Anastassia and Michael Buckbee as they explore how AI is reshaping the digital landscape, the challenges of maintaining brand visibility, and the evolving role of content in a world where AI-driven insights are becoming the norm.

Discover practical strategies for businesses to adapt and thrive in this new era of digital marketing.

Learn what has changed for Google and Bing since ChatGPT got deployed across the globe.

Michael Buckbee is the founder of Knowatoa, a pioneering platform that helps businesses optimize their brand visibility and ranking within AI-driven search engines like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity. With a career that spans cybersecurity, marketing, and SaaS startups, Buckbee is recognized as a serial entrepreneur and software developer with over a decade of hands-on experience in both technology and digital strategy. Before founding Knowatoa in 2024, he held leadership roles in demand generation for public cybersecurity firms. Michael is a thought leader in the evolving intersection of AI, search, and reputation management.

Takeaways:

AI is transforming SEO by providing more personalized and accurate search results, reducing the need for traditional keyword strategies.

Businesses need to focus on creating unique, high-quality content that AI can easily index and understand.

It's important to recognize and navigate the limitations of AI to effectively use it in marketing strategies.

Marketers need to evolve their skills to work alongside AI, focusing on strategy and creativity. Mediocre marketers don’t stand a chance, but there is a bright future for human excellence in marketing shaped by LLMs.

Search might become even further fragmented. AI will dominate as it extends search to further actions and brings the user to what he or she wants to do with the search result.

Chapters:

(1:54) The Shift in Content Strategy

(5:09) Understanding AI Context

(8:24) Adapting to AI Insights

(11:54) Maintaining the Human Touch

(15:39) Challenges with LLMs

(19:14) Future Trends in Digital Marketing

(22:54) Leveraging AI for Growth

(26:24) Navigating AI Limitations

(29:54) Evolving Role of Marketers

Links:

Michael Buckbee

Knowatoa

Dr. Anastassia Lauterbach

@romyandroby

“Leading Through Disruption”

AI Edutainment

The AI Imperative Book

Romy & Roby Book

In this episode, Anastassia engages with the Berlin-based economist Silvio Gerlach to explore the realities of AI implementation in businesses.

Silvio Gerlach is a German economist and experienced academic coach who has spent over two decades guiding research projects and mentoring students in economics, political science, and business administration. He is the founder of Studeo Coaching, where he serves as a thesis and dissertation coach, authoring multiple guides for scientific writing and academic research. Gerlach studied economics and political science at the University of Marburg and deepened his expertise in international economics during study terms in Argentina and Russia. His dedication to supporting academic achievement has made him a respected figure in German academic circles.

Anastassia and Silvio discuss the significant gap between the expectations set by studies and the actual outcomes experienced by companies, particularly smaller and mid-sized businesses. Silvio emphasizes the importance of a workflow-centric approach to AI adoption, building trust among employees, and understanding the human aspects of integrating AI technologies. The conversation also touches on the concept of the 'shadow economy' where employees use AI tools independently, and the need for practical design in AI initiatives to ensure success.

Takeaways:

95% of AI initiatives fail due to poor implementation.

Focus on workflows instead of use cases for AI.

Executive leaders must trust employees to improve processes with AI, thereby starting to transform their companies for better competitiveness.

AI adoption must address employee job security concerns.

Improving information and data supply is crucial for AI implementation success.

AI is a tool, not a pet to be adopted.

Small contributions from AI can lead to significant outcomes.

Engagement from employees on all levels is essential for AI integration.

AI should be integrated as a last step in the process, when it is clear what must be changed, and what actions will be taken to further facilitate and maintain change.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to AI Literacy and Guest Introduction

03:06 The Discrepancy Between AI Expectations and Reality

05:58 Understanding AI Implementation Challenges

08:51 The Importance of Workflow in AI Adoption

12:00 Building Trust and Overcoming Resistance to AI

14:57 The Shadow Economy and AI Utilization

17:59 Designing Effective AI Initiatives

20:57 AI as a Transformational Tool for Businesses

In the last week of September, we published Silvio's blog on the AI Edutainment website www.aiedutainment.ai, and the PDF of his monumental paper on measuring the impact of AI initiatives in businesses.

Links to further AI Literacy content:

Hyperlinks

Instagram: @romyandroby

Leadership Series: “Leading Through Disruption”

Website: AI Edutainment

Summary:

In this episode, Anastassia and Rae continue their series of podcasts about portrayals of AI and Robotics in the world literature and movies. Exploring how writers and filmmakers perceive AI is important, as books and science fiction films contribute to the public’s perception of AI technologies and shape our expectations of future scenarios involving AIs.

Rae Muhlstock teaches writing, literature, and film at the University at Albany, New York. She serves as chief organizer for the WCI Film Festival and the CHATS Film Festival and Lecture Series, fostering dialogue on critical issues through cinema, scholarship, and experiential education.

Anastassia and Rae delve into the complex themes surrounding AI, particularly through the lens of the film Ex Machina. They explore the ethical implications of AI development, the dichotomy between optimism and dystopia, and the nature of creation and power dynamics. The conversation also explores human agency, the impact of nature and nurture concepts on AI development, and the future of AI in relation to humanity. The hosts emphasize the importance of diversity in AI ethics and conclude with reflections on the potential paths forward for AI and human coexistence.

Takeaways:

AI literacy is essential for families today.

Ex Machina presents a darker view of AI compared to other films, e.g., “Her.”

The AI alignment problem raises ethical questions about creation.

Optimism in technology can coexist with dystopian fears.

Human agency is a critical factor in AI development.

Isolation can influence AI's understanding of freedom.

The Turing test now includes emotional manipulation.

The environment shapes AI's development and understanding.

Diversity in AI ethics is crucial for a balanced future.

The future of AI is intertwined with human choices.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to AI and Fiction

01:00 Exploring Ex Machina and AI Alignment

05:55 Optimism vs. Dystopia in AI

10:32 The Nature of Creation and Human Agency

14:47 Frankenstein and Playing God

20:22 Technology and the Cave Analogy

25:27 The Human-AI Relationship: A Historical Perspective

27:01 Manipulation and Emotion in AI

29:17 Isolation and Learning in AI Development

31:26 Gender Dynamics in AI Creation

33:18 The Future of AI: Scenarios and Speculations

35:05 Optimism vs. Pessimism in AI's Impact on Humanity

38:11 Diversity in AI Development and Its Implications

40:58 The Role of Power and Humility in AI Ethics

Useful Links:



@romyandroby

“Leading Through Disruption”

AI Edutainment

In this episode, Anastassia discusses AI in education with Olli-Pekka Heinonen. Olli-Pekka is a Finnish politician, public servant, and educational leader. He served as Finland's Minister of Education from 1994 to 1999, and later as Minister of Transport and Communications from 1999 to 2002. Heinonen advanced reforms focused on educating the whole person and preparing students with transversal competencies and 21st-century skills, not just subject-specific knowledge. The aim was to equip students to navigate an increasingly complex and unpredictable future. Heinonen is a member of the National Coalition Party and holds a Master of Laws from the University of Helsinki. In addition to his political roles, he was Director General of the Finnish National Agency for Education from 2016 to 2021. He held leadership positions at the Finnish national broadcasting company, Yleisradio. Since 2021, Heinonen has been the Director General of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Organization.

Follow Anastassia's work focused on AI Literacy:

AI Snacks with Romy and Roby

@romyandroby

“Leading Through Disruption”

AI Edutainment

Episode's Takeaways:

AI is becoming a factor in education.

In Finland, AI courses are being provided not only in schools but across society to enhance technology literacy and make everyone better equipped for future jobs.

The IB system is a model that emphasizes inquiry-based learning and global-mindedness, allowing students to explore and connect big concepts rather than just acquiring subject knowledge.

Finland's success in education is attributed to cultural values that prioritize education, a strong library system, and high esteem for teachers, as well as a merit-based system that attracts the best students into pedagogy.

AI realism is needed to prevent outrageous claims about AI capabilities today (e.g., LLMs are bringing about AGI or self-driving cars are mature and scalable technologies today), while also being optimistic about the development of AI and robotic technologies without over-regulating these.

Implementing AI in education is not without challenges, such as systemic integration and societal attitudes, and studying the impact of AI and further digital technologies on the cognitive skills of students.

We need technology to connect humans rather than isolate them.

Chapters

0:00 - 1:30 Introduction to AI Snacks: Dr. Anastassia Lauterbach introduces the podcast, "AI Snacks with Romy and Roby," and sets the stage for the episode's focus on AI and robotics in education.

1:31 - 3:00 Guest Introduction: Introduction of Olli-Pekka Heinonen, Director General of the International Baccalaureate Schools, highlighting his background and contributions to education.

3:01 - 7:00 The Finnish Education Model: Discussion on Finland's approach to education, literacy, and the integration of AI in society, emphasizing the cultural and systemic factors that contribute to its success.

7:01 - 10:00 International Baccalaureate System: Overview of the IB programs, focusing on their inquiry-based learning approach and global-mindedness, and how they differ from national educational systems.

10:01 - 14:00 AI Literacy and Education: Exploration of AI literacy initiatives in Finland and the role of AI in the IB system, including challenges and opportunities in implementing AI in education.

14:01 - 18:00 Challenges and Opportunities with AI: Discussion on the societal attitudes towards AI, the systemic integration of new technologies, and the collaboration between Finland and Estonia in technological innovation.

18:01 - 22:00 The Future of Education: Olli-Pekka Heinonen shares his vision for the future of education, focusing on agency, identity, and community, and his three wishes for the IB and education in general.

22:01 - 24:00 Closing Remarks: Dr. Anastassia Lauterbach wraps up the episode with a call to action for listeners and shares personal updates and future plans for the podcast.