AI in marketing isn’t the future, it’s already here. But while some marketers are seeing massive wins, others are still struggling to figure out where AI fits into their strategy.
Maybe you’ve experimented with AI for content creation, automation, or personalization. Or maybe you’re still skeptical, wondering if it’s worth the investment. Either way, one thing is clear: AI is reshaping how brands connect with consumers, and you need to stay ahead of these changes.
In this article, we’ll break down the latest AI marketing statistics, from adoption trends to budget shifts and performance gains, so you can see exactly where the industry is heading. Whether you’re looking to optimize the ROI of your campaigns, overcome AI adoption hurdles, or simply understand what your competitors are doing, these insights will help you make smarter decisions in 2025.
Nearly 70% of marketers have already integrated AI into their strategies, up from 61% just over two years ago. And for good reason: 85% use AI for content creation, and those who do are 25% more likely to report success. However, AI-driven content creation has declined from 44% in 2023 to 35.1% in 2024. This may indicate a shift towards hybrid approaches, where marketers use AI as a tool rather than fully relying on it to generate content.
While AI is proving its worth, many marketers are still hesitant. A staggering 71.7% of non-adopters say they don’t fully understand how to use it, while 70% of marketers struggle with technical challenges. This suggests that even those who adopt AI may still struggle with its complexity, highlighting the need for continued education and support.
Budgets are shifting, too. While nearly 48% of marketers dedicate less than 10% of their budget to AI, that’s expected to change—59% plan to increase AI spending in 2025. This indicates that while many companies are still in the early stages of AI adoption, they recognize its value and plan to scale their investments in the near future.
Concerns about AI are rising alongside optimism. While 50.6% of marketers are optimistic about AI enhancing marketing, a growing 59.8% worry AI may replace their jobs, up from 35.6% in 2023. This reflects the dual nature of AI’s impact—marketers see its potential, but they are also increasingly aware of how it could reshape the workforce.
AI-driven content creation has dipped slightly as strategies evolve. Still, AI is continuing to transform everything from social media to influencer marketing, and B2C brands that embrace it now will be the ones leading the pack in 2025.
AI is rapidly becoming a staple in marketing, with 69.1% of marketers already incorporating it into their strategies.Â
However, that still leaves 30.9% who have yet to adopt AI, often due to a lack of understanding—something that has become an even bigger issue over the past year. In fact, the percentage of marketers struggling with AI comprehension jumped from 41.9% in 2023 to 71.7% in 2024.Â
Despite this, adoption rates continue to rise, growing from 61.4% in 2023 to 69.1% in 2024. But the transition isn’t always smooth, since 12.7% of marketers have faced unexpected challenges when integrating AI into their workflows.Â
The majority of marketers are actively using AI to generate content:
Several challenges are slowing down AI adoption in marketing, with data privacy concerns topping the list for 40.44% of marketers. Right behind that, 37.98% struggle with a lack of technical expertise, making it difficult to navigate AI tools.Â
Cost is another major hurdle—33.17% find implementation too expensive, while 28.61% face difficulties integrating AI into their existing systems. Uncertainty about return on investment (ROI) is also a factor, with 24.54% hesitant to commit without clear benefits.Â
And beyond logistical issues, there’s also resistance from within—12.21% of marketers cite pushback from their teams as a barrier to adoption. These challenges highlight the need for better education, clearer value propositions, and stronger support systems to make AI more accessible.
Marketers are gradually increasing their AI investments:
Marketers are showing strong confidence in AI, with 59.32% planning to increase their AI investment in 2025. Meanwhile, 37.92% intend to maintain their current spending levels, signaling a steady commitment to AI-driven strategies. On the other hand, only a small fraction (just 2.75%) expect to scale back their AI budgets.Â
This overall trend suggests that AI will continue to play a growing role in marketing, as businesses look to refine their strategies and maximize the technology’s potential.
AI is transforming marketing performance and decision-making, with 70.6% of marketers believing it can outperform humans in key tasks.Â
At the same time, concerns about job displacement are rising, with 59.8% worried that AI may replace their roles, up from 35.6% in 2023.Â
Despite these fears, many remain optimistic about AI’s potential, with 50.6% seeing it as a tool to enhance marketing rather than replace human involvement.Â
Additionally, 32.7% believe that high-level strategy and decision-making will continue to be led by people. AI adoption is also delivering tangible benefits, as 75% of marketers see it as a competitive advantage, and 55% trust AI-generated insights to guide their strategies.Â
The top AI benefits include:
Many marketers face significant challenges when implementing AI tools, with 70% encountering technical difficulties. Common obstacles include integration issues, data compatibility concerns, the complexity of AI tools, and a steep learning curve.Â
To overcome these hurdles, marketers are taking proactive steps. About 27% are investing in AI training to build in-house expertise, while 16.7% are partnering with AI providers for support. Additionally, 15.9% are bringing in AI consultants to help navigate the complexities of implementation.Â
AI’s role in content marketing is evolving, with a slight decline in AI-driven content creation, dropping from 44% in 2023 to 35.1% in 2024. However, its influence is still strong, as 42.2% of marketers have adjusted their strategies due to generative AI tools like GPT-4.Â
Rather than relying solely on AI for content generation, many are refining their approaches to integrate AI more strategically, balancing automation with human creativity.
AI is reshaping influencer and social media marketing, particularly on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. More than half of marketers, 51.9%, plan to use AI-generated avatars in TikTok campaigns, while 74.3% are drawn to TikTok’s Symphony AI tools. The impact of these tools is clear, driving a 37% increase in purchase intent, a 38% boost in brand favorability, and widespread adoption, with 51.9% of marketers leveraging AI on TikTok Shop.Â
Beyond TikTok, AI is also playing a major role in content optimization, with 63% of marketers using YouTube’s AI tools to refine their strategies.
Efficiency and personalization are key reasons for AI adoption, with 54.8% seeing AI as a valuable tool for streamlining social media efforts.Â
However, concerns remain—36.7% worry about a lack of authenticity in AI-driven influencer marketing, and 19% fear consumer mistrust.Â
Despite these challenges, AI is becoming a central part of social media strategies, with 43% of marketers considering it very important and another 48% viewing it as somewhat important.Â
Far from just another marketing trend, AI is already transforming how brands engage, convert, and retain customers. The numbers don’t lie: more marketers are investing in AI, seeing efficiency gains, and using it to personalize customer experiences like never before.
Yet, AI challenges remain. From budget constraints to technical roadblocks and data privacy concerns, many marketers are still struggling to unlock AI’s full potential. The key takeaway? Those who embrace AI strategically—whether for content creation, ad optimization, or consumer insights—are gaining a competitive edge.
So, where do you stand? Are you making the most of AI, or are you falling behind?
If you’re looking for an AI-powered solution that simplifies marketing automation, personalization, and campaign optimization, Pixis can help. Our codeless AI infrastructure empowers marketers to drive better results, without the complexity. Book a demo to learn more.
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