Let’s get one thing straight: AI isn’t coming. It’s here, and most brands are still on the sidelines.

At a recent Brand Innovators summit, Suzy Founder & CEO Matt Britton didn’t just deliver a keynote. He delivered a wake-up call. While many companies are still tinkering with prompts and pilots, the real disruption is already underway. And the winners of this era won’t be the ones who play it safe. They’ll be the ones who move fast, experiment boldly, and build brand value in a world where everyone suddenly has access to the same tech.

This isn’t about catching up. It’s about staying in the game.

Here’s what Matt shared, and what your brand should be doing now to stay relevant in the age of AI.

We’re living in an AI adoption gap, and that’s a brand opportunity

Right now, only a tiny fraction of people truly understand how to use AI in meaningful ways. Even inside some of the world’s biggest tech companies, teams are blocked by legal red tape and outdated mindsets. That disconnect creates white space for brands that are willing to experiment, move fast, and build real consumer utility. 

You don’t need a PhD to start using AI. You need a problem to solve, and the courage to iterate.

Personal use leads to professional breakthroughs

Matt didn’t start with a flashy AI product. He started with a problem: how to make his sales team more efficient. That led to building internal tools using transcripts and ChatGPT, tools that now auto-score sentiment, generate SEO-rich content, and feed keyword targeting strategies. Then he did the same in his personal life, creating a “health bot” that uses his own medical history to predict and mitigate health risks. What’s your version of the health bot? Solve for yourself, then scale for your brand. 

Innovation doesn’t start in the enterprise. It starts in your inbox, your habits, and your day-to-day life. 

Automation isn’t the future, agents are.

Matt outlined three phases of AI usage: Tools (e.g., ChatGPT for one-off prompts), Automation (e.g., chaining tools for workflows), and Agents (AI that acts autonomously on your behalf). Most marketers are still stuck in phase one. But the real power is in agents—like Salesforce’s emerging “Agentforce”—that ingest data, make decisions, and take action without human prompts.

The next evolution isn’t dashboards or widgets, it’s AI that runs in the background, learns, adapts, and delivers without being told. Brands that hesitate will get left behind. 

Brand still wins, but only if it’s clear and credible

Generative AI has leveled the creative playing field. Design, copy, video - anyone can create anything, fast. But what can’t be faked? Trust. As Matt explained, in a world flooded with content, consumers won’t just choose what looks good. They’ll choose what feels real. The brands that win will be the ones with a clear identity, a credible voice, and a reputation that signals: this is worth your time.

So if your brand story is muddy or your values aren’t showing up, now’s the time to fix it. Because clarity isn’t just helpful, it’s non-negotiable.

So What Should Brands Be Doing Right Now?

• Pick one real problem, and solve it with AI. Don’t chase shiny tools. Start small and build momentum.
• Use AI in your personal life. The fastest way to learn is to apply it outside of work. Skills transfer.
• Graduate from prompts to automation. Look for ways AI can connect systems, streamline workflows, and act for you.
• Sharpen your brand story. In a world of infinite content, clarity and trust are your competitive edge.
• Make AI everyone’s job. Don’t silo it to innovation teams. Every function should be testing, learning, and applying.

The Bottom Line

AI won’t replace marketers. But marketers who use AI will replace those who don’t. The time to future-proof your brand isn’t tomorrow, it’s today. 

Catch the full keynote here.

If you’re ready to build smarter, Suzy can help. Let’s talk.