AI Insiders with Playwire on The AI vs. Human Decision Dilemma: When Machines Should Drive and When You Should Take the Wheel
Welcome to AI Insiders, the exclusive weekly virtual series hosted by the AI Marketers Guild. Designed to connect, inspire, and elevate professionals in the AI marketing landscape, our sessions feature thought-provoking discussions, unparalleled networking opportunities, and insights from guest speakers at the forefront of technology and marketing.
This week speakers:
Anthony Berrena President at Playwire
Luke Schoenberger Executive Vice President of Product and Engineering at Playwire
Topic: The AI vs. Human Decision Dilemma: When Machines Should Drive and When You Should Take the Wheel
Session Abstract:
The ad tech industry loves a false dichotomy. We're constantly told to choose between human expertise or AI automation, as if sophisticated revenue optimization requires an all-or-nothing approach. But what if the real competitive advantage lies in knowing exactly when to let machines take over and when human judgment should prevail?
In this data-driven session, we'll dissect the decision-making framework that's revolutionizing how publishers approach ad monetization. Through real-world case studies and performance data, we'll examine three critical areas where the human vs. AI choice dramatically impacts revenue:
When AI Wins by a Landslide:
Bid Shaping: Our ML algorithm delivered a 12% revenue increase while reducing bid requests by 17%. We'll break down why human-managed bid filtering consistently underperforms algorithmic approaches and share the geographic and SSP-specific patterns no human could reasonably track.
Price Flooring: Moving from 200 manual rules to 1.2 million AI-managed price floors generated an average 20% pageview CPM increase. We'll reveal why the traditional "set it and forget it" approach to price floors is leaving serious money on the table.
When Human Judgment Drives Breakthrough Results:
Quality Performance Initiatives: A strategic decision to prioritize quality over quantity – driven by human insight, not algorithmic optimization – resulted in 168% higher CPMs and 76% revenue growth for one major publisher. We'll explore why this counter-intuitive approach required human vision to execute.
Why One Size Doesn't Fit All Publishers: Here's where it gets interesting: the optimal AI vs. human control mix varies dramatically by publisher. We'll explore how different publisher types, team structures, and business priorities should influence where you grab the controls versus where you put monetization on intelligent autopilot. The goal isn't to prescribe a universal solution – it's to help you identify your optimal control points and automation opportunities based on your unique situation and expertise.
Key Takeaways:
Performance data comparing AI and human-managed approaches across multiple monetization areas
Publisher-specific considerations for building your ideal AI/human control balance
Real case studies with specific metrics showing the revenue impact of strategic decision-making
Why You Should Attend:
New Tech Showcases: Get the first look at groundbreaking technologies that are transforming the marketing landscape.
Expert Insights: Learn from industry leaders who are redefining best practices in AI marketing.
Networking: Virtually meet other marketing professionals, share experiences, and expand your professional network.
Interactive Q&A: Have your pressing questions answered by experts in real-time.
Resource Sharing: Gain access to templates, playbooks, and exclusive content to navigate the complex world of AI marketing.
Who Should Attend
AI Marketing Professionals
Digital Strategists
Data Scientists in Marketing
Product Managers
Marketing Executives
Entrepreneurs in Tech and Marketing
Join us every week to stay ahead of the curve, learn from the best in the industry, and build meaningful connections in the AI marketing community.
RSVP now to secure your spot in the next AI Insiders session!
The speaker series has featured a highly diverse roster of AI thought leaders from across the industry, representing major global organizations and influential firms. The lineup includes executives from some of the world's most recognized companies and agencies, such as Jeff Sundheim, AI Business Strategist & Creative Solutions Lead at Google; Donnovan Andrews, Global Consulting Principal for AI at Ogilvy Consulting; and Alicia Yaffe, SVP of Creative Marketing at Warner Music Group Global Catalog. They are joined by other prominent leaders from key industry players, including Caroline Giegerich, VP of AI at the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB); Clive Henry, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Adobe; Kate Martin, Social Content and Engagement Strategist at Razorfish; and Marc Maleh, Global CTO at Huge. The program is further enriched by high-caliber chief officers and founders like Michelle Vincent of Mofilm, Melinda Han Williams of Dstillery, Vanessa Camones of Helm, and Dr. Cecilia Dones of 3 Standard Deviations. Rounding out the expertise are respected voices such as author and former Publicis Groupe Chief Strategist Rishad Tobaccowala and Judy Shapiro of Topic Intelligence, with sessions covering a wide array of topics, including building AI agents, demystifying tools, AI ethics, and GTM workflows.