Real-Time Convos with AI Avatars is Here
Plus: TikTok's US-only app gets closer, Meta swings for the fences (again), and one AI platform to rule them all.
👋 Happy Tuesday AI Marketers. Forget about those scripted AI avatars. Character.AI’s new release lets you have real-time conversations with them. Also, Google’s AI Overviews are getting challenged in the EU. And, I’ve found an AI platform every creator will want to see. Let’s get you caught up…
Character.AI’s Big Leap: Real-Time Conversations with AI Avatars
Character.AI just released TalkingMachines, the next big leap toward real-time video chats with AI avatars. Get ready for lifelike conversations with photorealistic humans and 3D characters in a FaceTime-like interaction. The move bridges the gap between text-based chats, voice-AI, and scripted video avatars, opening a new world of possibility for brand ambassadors, support agents, virtual assistants, and content experiences. Not to mention use cases for entertainment, gaming, and beyond.
TikTok’s ‘ban’ problem could end soon
TikTok might finally solve its US ban troubles. The platform is reportedly close to a sale that would involve Oracle and other non-Chinese investors, keeping ByteDance as a minority stakeholder. A new US-specific app is expected to launch by September 5th, replacing the current one. For brands that paused or hesitated, this move signals TikTok will likely stay viable stateside, making continued investment in short-form content a safe bet.
Meta’s AI “superintelligence” effort sounds just like its failed metaverse
Meta is all-in on AI, chasing "personal AI superintelligence" by poaching talent from OpenAI and launching a shiny new lab. Zuckerberg clearly wants AI dominance, but skepticism is already bubbling. Remember the metaverse? Billions spent, little delivered, trust squandered. Meta’s AI push faces that same uphill battle of credibility. While the ambition is familiar, so are doubts about execution. The bigger question: Can Meta convince the world to follow this time?
Marketing Tech Is Broken. Here’s How to Fix It.
Harvard Business Review says marketing tech isn’t just cluttered. It’s dysfunctional. Tools don’t talk to each other, valuable data gets trapped, and teams waste resources juggling systems. The fix? Integrated platforms, simplified stacks, and a relentless focus on usability over features. Any team tired of tech headaches should reconsider how many tools they really need.
Google faces heat in the EU over AI Overviews
Google's AI Overviews has sparked yet another grievance. This time, an EU antitrust complaint. Publishers claim Google’s feature unfairly keeps users within its search pages using their content to intercept potential website visitors. Fending off these complaints is familiar territory for the search giant, but this one could be different.
🎥 I sifted through a billion YouTube videos. Here’s one for you:
Just discovered Weavy. It lets you generate images and videos in multiple AI models, like Midjourney, Runway, or Google's Imagen, all at once, from one prompt, then edit and refine without leaving the tool. Finally, designers get full creative control plus AI speed, all in one place. This feels like how AI finally moves from experimental to practical, reliable, and scalable for high-end creative production.
🎙️ My top 3 podcast episodes this week:
AI SIX
Top AI Questions from Marketing Pros
Joanne Sweeney answers the top AI questions marketers keep asking in her workshops. She covers essential tools, job security concerns, maintaining your authentic voice, and the critical mindset shift marketers need to confidently test, adopt, and scale AI strategies.
THIS OLD MARKETING
Your Marketing Job Plan B
Joe Pulizzi and Robert Rose discuss why every marketer needs a personal brand, even without a side hustle. They unpack why job stability is a myth, how visibility equals career security, and which content platforms matter most for safeguarding your future career.
THE EXIT FIVE CMO PODCAST
How to Stay Relevant as a Marketer in the World of AI
Marketing strategist and author Mark Schaefer joins Dave Gerhardt to discuss why marketers can’t afford to play it safe in the AI era. Hear real examples of B2B brands cutting through the noise by ditching “best practices” and prioritizing emotion, creativity, and bold storytelling.
Have a favorite podcast to recommend? Shoot me the details.
🚨 AI-forward companies are looking for AI-forward marketers:
AI Program Manager, Marketing Strategy & Operations
Stripe (via TieTalent)
Use generative AI to rewire Stripe’s marketing operations from the inside out, prototyping LLM-powered tools, automating reviews, and streamlining content and campaign workflows to boost speed and eliminate manual work.
Details →
AI Growth Marketer, Product Led Growth B2B/SaaS (Remote)
CyberCoders
Drive B2B user acquisition and retention by leveraging AI and analytics, using tools like Amplitude, MixPanel and AI/ML methods to experiment, refine campaigns and scale product‑led growth.
Details →
Product Marketing Lead
Creatify AI
Be the first product marketer at a fast‑growing AI ad platform, shaping go‑to‑market messaging, driving adoption of AI video ad features and collaborating closely across product, engineering and growth.
Details →
Sr Product Marketing Manager – AI Platform
Anaconda, Inc.
Craft messaging and go‑to‑market motions aimed at ML practitioners and enterprises, translating platform and GenAI features into compelling narratives and sales support materials.
Details →
Content Marketing Manager – AI
Appian
Create enterprise‑focused content on AI, automation and process orchestration, developing thought‑leadership, campaign assets and using data driven insights to refine messaging.
Details →
📅 AI marketers are gathering across the country and around the world for conferences, summits, and industry events. Here’s where to join them:
ANA Digital & Social Media Conference
Carlsbad, CA, July 14–16
OIGA Conference and Trade Show
Oklahoma City, OK, July 14–16
Momentum AI
San Jose, CA, July 15–16
DigiMarCon
Honolulu, HI, July 18–19
AI in Production
Asheville, NC, July 18
eCommerce Summit
Seattle, WA, July 31
Affiliate Summit East
New York City, NY, August 4–5
NAED Marketing Summit
San Antonio, TX, August 4–6
Digital Summit
Minneapolis, MN, August 6–7
CDAO
Chicago, IL, August 7–8
Ai4
Las Vegas, NV, August 11–13
eTail
Boston, MA, August 11–14
AI Accelerate
San Diego, CA, August 20–21
WordCamp
Portland, OR, August 26–29
Contact.io
Denver, CO, August 27–29
Have an event to add? Send me the details.
