Mary Gabrielyan, Chief Strategy Officer at AI Digital, joins Ari Paparo to learn about AI-driven supply path optimization, value-based bidding, media planning, and the future of ad tech. Insights on AI adoption, training gaps, and what skills will remain human. Takeaways AI Digital is an AI-native media consultancy built on machine learning and now evolving with generative AI and LLMs. The company offers managed services, smart supply curation, and AI Labs for client transformation and training. Elevate, their platform, provides end-to-end campaign management, including research, planning, reporting, and MMM insights. True AI-powered supply path optimization should be predictive and real-time, not just based on historical data. The industry is shifting from metric-based optimization (CPM, CTR) to value-based, outcome-driven AI bidding. AI-driven ad curation is evolving toward dynamic, real-time inventory optimization rather than static deal packaging. LLMs improve contextual targeting by understanding semantics, not just categories or keywords. Companies are underinvesting in AI training and tool adoption, limiting their ability to fully benefit from AI. Human skills like intuition, taste, empathy, and authenticity remain irreplaceable in an AI-driven world. Chapters 00:00 Introduction & Guest Overview 00:28 What is AI Digital? 01:21 Core Services: Managed Service, Smart Supply & AI Labs 02:07 Inside Elevate: AI-Powered Media Intelligence Platform 03:00 Target Customers & Market Positioning 03:41 How Elevate Works: Research, Planning & Reporting 05:26 AI in Supply Path Optimization (SPO) 06:40 Reactive vs Predictive AI in Programmatic Supply 08:25 AI Optimization: Metrics vs Outcomes 09:26 Value-Based AI Bidding Explained 10:14 AI in Ad Curation & Programmatic Future 11:20 Dynamic Curation & Real-Time Inventory Optimization 11:58 Contextual AI & Semantic Targeting with LLMs 13:31 Client Reactions to AI: Fear vs Adoption 13:58 AI Training & Talent Gaps in Organizations 14:27 Will AI Replace Jobs? Skills That Still Matter 15:09 Human Advantages: Intuition, Taste & Empathy 16:51 Lightning Round: Competitive Edge & Challenges 17:46 Fun Question: If AI Digital Were an Animal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices