
Futurist Zahra Karim on Next-Gen Marketing at Future Festival Miami
Georgia Wray Norsten — March 14, 2025 — TH Video
References: futurefestival
Zahra Karim, Senior Research Advisor at Trend Hunter, recently spoke at Future Festival Miami on how AI is transforming marketing, creativity, and consumer engagement.
With AI marketing expected to reach $107.5 billion by 2028, Karim explored how brands can leverage AI for efficiency while preserving human creativity and authenticity. AI tools are revolutionizing data analytics, content creation, and social media marketing, but Karim emphasized that AI enhances marketing -- it doesn’t replace the human touch.
She also addressed the growing need for authenticity. While 90% of marketers believe their content is authentic, many consumers disagree, exposing a trust gap AI alone cannot fix. Brands like Starbucks and Virgin Cruises have successfully integrated AI while maintaining emotional connection, showing that AI should support, not replace, human ingenuity.
Karim highlighted emerging trends like ethical resonance and casualization, which reflect consumers’ increasing demand for transparency, inclusivity, and value-driven marketing. As AI reshapes the industry, businesses must balance efficiency with ethical engagement.
Couldn’t make it to Future Festival Miami? Join us in New York from June 3-4 to explore AI, marketing, and future trends with top innovators from brands like Netflix, Google, and Starbucks!
With AI marketing expected to reach $107.5 billion by 2028, Karim explored how brands can leverage AI for efficiency while preserving human creativity and authenticity. AI tools are revolutionizing data analytics, content creation, and social media marketing, but Karim emphasized that AI enhances marketing -- it doesn’t replace the human touch.
She also addressed the growing need for authenticity. While 90% of marketers believe their content is authentic, many consumers disagree, exposing a trust gap AI alone cannot fix. Brands like Starbucks and Virgin Cruises have successfully integrated AI while maintaining emotional connection, showing that AI should support, not replace, human ingenuity.
Karim highlighted emerging trends like ethical resonance and casualization, which reflect consumers’ increasing demand for transparency, inclusivity, and value-driven marketing. As AI reshapes the industry, businesses must balance efficiency with ethical engagement.
Couldn’t make it to Future Festival Miami? Join us in New York from June 3-4 to explore AI, marketing, and future trends with top innovators from brands like Netflix, Google, and Starbucks!
Trend Themes
1. AI-driven Marketing Innovation - AI-driven marketing innovation is changing the landscape by allowing brands to enhance efficiency without losing the crucial element of human creativity.
2. Authenticity and Trust Gap Challenge - A growing authenticity and trust gap challenge requires companies to focus on genuine consumer engagement, reminding businesses that technology cannot replace emotional connections.
3. Ethical Resonance and Casualization - The trend of ethical resonance and casualization signifies a shift towards transparency and value-driven marketing, highlighting consumer demand for inclusivity and ethical standards.
4. Personalized AI Content Creation - As AI tools advance, they offer disruptive opportunities in personalized content creation, enhancing consumer engagement through tailored experiences while preserving authenticity.
Industry Implications
1. AI and Data Analytics - In the AI and data analytics industry, the focus on transforming marketing approaches opens pathways for businesses to refine strategies and maximize insights.
2. Digital Marketing and Advertising - Advancements in digital marketing and advertising, driven by AI capabilities, enable brands to enhance efficiency and personalization while maintaining authentic consumer relationships.
3. Consumer Technology and Services - The consumer technology and services sector is pioneering the integration of AI, blending automation with human insight to meet transparent and ethical consumer demands.
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