We’re going to be in this “best of times / worst of times” seesaw era of AI for a while, and some days, “worst of times” will have the upper hand.

Yet one of the best things about AI now is that it can be fun. And even, if you’ll let me get carried away a little, it can feel magical.

I see this all the time. I’ve been giving more live training and demos lately, and invariably, there will be a moment in some presentation or workshop where someone says, “Wait, go back, I want to see that again!”

Often, it’s because of a “how did they do that?” moment. Even when you think you know what generative AI can do, there are times where you come across something you haven’t seen before. It might not have any immediate application for your job or your life, but it triggers that sense of play that can lead you to explore the concept more deeply.

During an eight-hour training course I gave to a marketing team this month, the most memorable moment for the team felt like a frivolous one that I added at the last minute. It was a jingle for their brand courtesy of Jingle My Brand, a project from my friend and former colleague Leo Morejon.

He since came out with a holiday edition. (Disclosure: I contributed some feedback, but as a friend and not a business partner; any material interests in companies I mention will be shared here should they ever arise, but those will be rare cases, if ever). You can play the Christmas jingle I created for AI Brief readers.

I had another taste of magic this week from an entity you’re even more likely to have heard of: Google. Reading the latest updates about Google Workspace, they showcased a feature where you can turn slides into videos. You can try it here depending on what kind of account you have. It will instantly add spot-on voiceover and music to a slide deck and turn it into a watchable video.

I created this video based on an AIMG AI Insiders talk led by VC firm Georgian showcasing their research. It took literally 5 clicks and less than a minute to create. I showed a founder friend this feature for his pitch deck, and describing it to him took 10 times as long as it took him to make a video of his slides.

What feels magical to you? Reply and let me know. I’d love to hear more, even if it’s something you’re working on, as I’ll want to share more of those moments in the year ahead.

I can’t believe this is the last edition of the year. Thank you for your ongoing readership.

Wait, this is only our second issue. But we did it! We started something new, and it’ll only get better in 2026. I’m grateful you’re along for the ride, whether they’re the best of times, the worst, or anything and everything in between. May the times trend in the right direction for you and your loved ones.

— David Berkowitz, Chief Community Officer, Marketecture Media

Who: Media Buyers, Data Analysts, Agency Strategists, Video Marketers

What: WPP has struck a deal to pull granular YouTube creator data directly into WPP Open, its intelligent marketing operating system. This integration allows the agency's planners to predict how specific creator partnerships will perform across different audiences before a contract is even signed.

Why it matters: Media planning is moving from audience proxies to actual behavioral prediction. Accessing platform-level data inside your own planning tools creates a significant competitive advantage in efficiency and return on ad spend. Yet for every holdco integration like this, there are SMB-friendly platforms chomping at the bit to showcase how they can democratize access to such data. The trend points to a narrowing gap in terms of the data that the independents and conglomerates have access to.

(Marketing Dive)

Who: Creative Directors, Brand Strategists, Copywriters, CPG Marketers

What: In its first AI-generated ad, the grooming brand mocks others that take AI too seriously, while also poking fun at corporate culture that leads to AI slop in the first place. The jokes are cute, but it’s not the kind of original, fourth-wall-breaking ad that helped launch the brand in the early days of “viral videos.”

Why it matters: Are we in the backlash phase? Or the backlash to the backlash to the backlash? Using AI to mock AI is the new way to build authenticity and cut through the polish of competitors who seem to think AI is a panacea, but meta AI jokes run the risk of making consumers reach for the “skip” button before they ever get to the last punchline. What makes an ad feel magical now is not the tech or the snark but the story (see Disney’s holiday ad).

(DesignRush)

Who: Brand Marketers, Creative Directors, Social Teams, Legal/Compliance, Agencies

What: New York State passed a law requiring advertisers to clearly disclose when an ad uses an AI-generated avatar that isn’t a real human. A related law also tightens consent rules around using a deceased person’s likeness commercially.

Why it matters: Any AI law is bound to be controversial, as detractors will either say it’s watered down or that it stifles innovation. The law also shows what a messy era we’re in now. In the past, if Hamburgler was in an ad, McDonald’s never had to disclose whether it was an actor or CGI. Larger brands will do well to ensure that any humans whose likenesses power AI avatars or voices are being compensated, while marketers should generally err on the side of transparency. Yet will every ad start to resemble pharma ads with all the required disclosures?

(The Verge)

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