User-generated content (UGC) is one of the most effective forms of online advertising. It feels authentic, is credible and aligns with the way consumers make decisions today. But creating true UGC takes time and money: you have to find suitable creators, write scripts, shoot footage and edit everything. This is where AI comes in.

The rise of AI-generated UGC

With tools like HeyGen, companies can now produce UGC ads faster and cheaper. AI avatars, which are becoming increasingly realistic, can take on a wide range of faces and voices. This means brands can still create compelling, UGC-inspired ads without relying on human creators.

What makes AI-generated UGC interesting?

  1. Scalability: Whereas traditional UGC production is limited by time and budget, AI avatars can generate dozens of variations of ads in a short period of time.
  2. Cost savings: No expensive production or payments to influencers, but instantly deployable AI-based content.
  3. A/B testing: Quickly test different ad variations to discover what works best, without high production costs.

AI versus authenticity: what to look out for?

While the benefits of AI-generated UGC are clear, it is not a suitable solution for every brand. Authenticity is a key factor in UGC success, and consumers may perceive AI content as less credible. Here are some important considerations:

  • Does AI content fit your brand identity? If your brand relies heavily on real, human stories, AI content may backfire.
  • How natural do the avatars look? Some AI-generated faces and voices are convincing, while others still give a "robotic" feel.
  • Transparency to your audience Some brands choose to be open about their use of AI, which can build trust.

When do you choose AI-UGC?

AI-generated ads can be ideal if you:

  • Want to scale content quickly and cost-effectively.
  • Want to test different ad formats and messages.
  • Have a product where credibility depends less on real user experiences.

But if authenticity and human connection are at the core of your brand strategy, investing in true UGC may be a better choice.

The future of AI-UGC

AI avatars and generated content are becoming increasingly realistic and the line between looking real and not real is blurring. In the future, AI models can be combined with real user data to create hyper-personalized ads. But the key question remains: will consumers continue to perceive AI UGC as authentic?

For now, it's smart to think of AI as a complement to real UGC, not a replacement. That way you benefit from speed and scalability without sacrificing credibility.

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A content marketing strategy is a plan to reach and engage your target audience by creating, publishing and distributing useful content. The goal is not only to gain visibility, but also to build a relationship of trust with your (potential) customers and encourage them to take action. Instead of direct sales, a content marketing strategy focuses on delivering valuable information that helps and inspires the customer, which can ultimately lead to conversion.

Whereas general marketing is usually about promoting a product or service, content marketing is about providing relevant, useful content that benefits your target audience and builds a relationship with them. This process requires strategy and continuity, with content marketing supporting not only lead generation, but also customer retention.

What are the key elements of a content marketing strategy?

A successful content marketing strategy involves several steps. First, it is important to properly define your target audience and understand their needs, challenges and interests. This forms the basis for creating relevant content that appeals to and attracts them. In addition, setting clear goals is important: For example, do you want to increase website traffic, increase conversion or build brand loyalty?

Next, content creation is a crucial part of your strategy. This includes not only content writing (for which we use the help of an AI colleague ), but also the frequency and channel on which it is published. Therefore, it is good to have a content strategy as the foundation of your content marketing.

In addition to strategy, distribution is also an important part. It's not enough to just create content, you also need to know where and how to bring it to people's attention. This can be through your own channels, such as a website or newsletter, but also through paid channels or collaborations.

Finally, you need to regularly measure the performance of your content marketing strategy and make adjustments where necessary. We do that for ourselves but also for clients with dashboarding, in which we get real-time insights, which can be used to improve the strategy.

Why is having a content marketing strategy important for businesses?

Customers' expectations have changed: they want not only products, but also valuable information and inspiration. A content marketing strategy helps companies respond to this by creating relevant content that addresses the needs of their target audience. This contributes to a position as an expert in the field and strengthens the relationship with (potential) customers.

Take a leap forward in your marketing AI transformation every week

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AI is changing the way we work, do business and communicate. What are the key developments and trends to watch in 2025? In this blog, we share 16 marketing AI trends that will have a major impact on marketing, entrepreneurship and business in 2025. These trends also form the basis of the marketing AI webinar we hold monthly.

1. AI-driven content creation

AI is getting better at creating text, images, videos and audio. We will be less and less able to tell the difference between content created by humans or that AI helped with.

Tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude help you create plans, write social posts, newsletters, code and product descriptions. For visuals and videos, there are tools like Midjourney, Flux, Runway, Sora, Veo 2 and KlingAI. Audio can be created with ElevenLabs or Hume, for example.

2. Collaborating with AI colleagues in 2025.

AI systems are increasingly becoming colleagues you can collaborate with within your existing work environment. This makes for a more efficient workflow and better results.

We already work with a team of AI colleagues in Slack, which we will improve and expand this year. You too can use these specially trained AI colleagues for content planning, writing for social media, email and blogs, and data analysis.

3. Enhanced Reasoning (Reasoning).  

AI models are getting better at making complex decisions, They can follow a logical line of reasoning (Chain of Thought) and learn from their own results to improve themselves. This makes them more accurate and effective at complex tasks such as strategic planning, analysis, forecasting and problem solving.

The breakthrough began late last year with OpenAI's o1 model, which analyzes problems thoroughly before taking action. Google followed with the interesting Deep Research feature in its Gemini platform, and Chinese start-up DeepSeek came up with the open-source DeepSeek V3 model with reasoning capabilities. 

4. Advanced memory (Memory).  

AI gains a permanent memory, allowing it to remember context and previous interactions. This means AI recognizes a user instantly and can build on previous conversations. As a result, responses become increasingly relevant and customized.

An example of this is AI chatbots that can immediately give appropriate suggestions because they know what was discussed in previous conversations. This makes the interaction more natural and effective. 

5. Real-time video and visual AI (Vision).

AI with visual capabilities can recognize and analyze images, videos and objects, both in the real world and on your screen. This is already possible with ChatGPT and Gemini 2.0, and the capabilities are expanding.

This allows you to use AI as a real-time assistant during your work. For example, when creating content or optimizing your homepage. The AI watches your screen and provides immediate feedback and improvement suggestions. Do you get stuck in a program? Then the AI explains step by step what you need to do to move forward.

The real-time video feature makes it possible to use AI in everyday life as well. For example, test it out by showing the contents of your refrigerator and asking what you can cook dinner with it. Or you can ask which products are healthy and which are better eaten in moderation.

6. Advanced voice interfaces (Voice).

AI is getting better at processing, understanding and generating spoken language.

ChatGPT and Talk to Gemini's voice feature already allows you to have natural conversations. ChatGPT's voice feature accesses the Internet, allowing it to instantly look up information and be used for "voice search. Tools such as ElevenLabs and Hume allow you to create natural voices, including a copy of your own.

We see speech being used not only for face-to-face conversations with AI, but also for customer service chatbots. This also makes AI more accessible to people with disabilities.

To be found through voice search, your content must connect with how people talk. You do this by:

  • Use conversational language and specific search terms that fit natural queries.
  • Integrate FAQs into your content.
  • Add structured data (schema markup) so that search engines better understand your content.
  • To focus on local content because many voice searches are location-based.

7. Automation with 'AI agents'

The development and application of AI agents will take off in 2025. These are smart systems that perform tasks independently based on clear goals and instructions. They combine various AI capabilities to make decisions, execute actions and improve their performance.

In this first phase, AI agents still work under human supervision. In the future, they will become more and more independent and will also cooperate with other AI agents.

It allows organizations to automate routine tasks. This leaves more room for strategic work that requires human qualities such as creativity, problem solving and empathy.

An example for online stores are "shopping agents. These help customers choose products, answer questions, compare prices and make the order.

All major AI companies are fully committed to developing AI agents. We are going to see many new applications of this in 2025.

8. Digital people

Another marketing AI trend we see in 2025 is that the distinction between human and AI-driven interactions will become increasingly blurred. Whether you watch a video on social media, participate in an online consultation, make a phone call or chat on a website, it will become less and less clear whether you are communicating with a human or AI.

The success of virtual influencers shows what is possible. Take Lil Miquela, for example, with 2.5 million followers on Instagram. These types of digital profiles provide new ways to build and engage audiences.

Digital humans enable 24/7 accessibility, but also bring challenges such as the risk of deception and loss of trust. The key is transparency: companies that are open about their use of AI build a stronger relationship with their audience.

9. Optimize content for AI

Just as SEO became important to search engines, AI optimization becomes crucial to being found in AI search results such as ChatGPT Search, Google's AI listings, Perplexity or Grok. The basis is to create unique, valuable content that cannot be generated by AI. Only then will you really add something. 

In doing so, focus on four key points:

  1. Buying keywords: Create the most comprehensive content possible for your audience that answers all questions surrounding your product or service. Think extensive product descriptions, product comparisons, rates, customer experiences and a fair overview of pros and cons.
  2. Share unique insights: These are your opinions, viewpoints and expertise, complemented by customer stories, research and real-world examples. This is exactly what AI cannot offer, but what people are looking for.
  3. Up-to-date content: Keep your content current with trends and new insights from your field. Make sure everything you share is accessible, meets the needs of your audience and helps make buying decisions.
  4. Structure: Always use a clear structure, include visuals and focus on sustainable "evergreen" content. This strengthens your visibility in AI systems and connection with your audience.

10. Dynamic content optimization

AI automatically adapts content by platform and audience. From short videos for TikTok to business blogs for LinkedIn, AI ensures that each message matches viewer preferences.

This means that your core message is automatically translated into the right format and tone for each channel. For example, a podcast can be converted to catchy social media posts, a blog, a short video and a series of emails. In doing so, AI analyzes what works best for each platform and adapts the content accordingly.

For marketers, this means a more efficient way of working. You create the content once and AI makes sure it is optimally adapted for each channel. This way, you reach your audience in the way they like, without taking extra time.

11. Hyperpersonalization with predictive analytics

AI goes beyond standard personalization such as "Hi Julien. It can predict customer needs and proactively provide solutions. From personalized product recommendations to fully customized content that matches the individual's needs.

By continuously learning from interactions, AI increasingly understands what your customers really want. For example, the system analyzes when someone prefers to receive mail, what type of content works best and what products are of interest. Based on these insights, it automatically adjusts communications.

Imagine this: a customer regularly views content about sustainable business. AI recognizes this pattern and causes this person to see more relevant articles, cases and products on this topic. The content is customized not only in terms of topic, but also in writing style, timing and channel of transmission.

For marketers, this means a shift from manual segmentation to a system that learns and adapts itself. The result? Content that matches exactly what your audience needs at that moment. 

12. AI steering committees and Chief AI Officers.

More and more companies are appointing AI steering committees and Chief AI Officers to develop and implement AI strategies. This helps them deploy AI responsibly, effectively and sustainably and stay relevant to their audiences. This new role within organizations is becoming increasingly important.

The AI steering committee often consists of experts from different departments who work together to determine how best to deploy AI. They look at technical capabilities as well as ethical considerations and the impact on employees and customers. 

The Chief AI Officer ensures that AI is not seen as a separate technology, but as part of business strategy. This person oversees all AI initiatives, ensures the right priorities and monitors the balance between innovation and responsible use.

For marketing, this means a strategic approach to AI implementation. No more isolated experiments, but thoughtful choices that align with your goals. This is how you ensure that AI really adds value to your organization and strengthens the relationship with your audience.

13. The challenge of ethics and authenticity

With AI increasingly being used to generate content and provide service in the form of chatbots, for example, it is crucial to remain authentic. Transparency about the use of AI and maintaining a human touch is necessary to build trust with your audience.

In practice, this means a careful balance between innovation and integrity. It's not just about mentioning that you're using AI, but more importantly why. Your audience appreciates it when you explain how AI improves service and what the added value is for them.

This openness works both ways. You not only show where AI plays a role, but also highlight where people make the difference. Think personalized advice, creative customization or strategic decisions. Through this combination of technology and human expertise, you build a stronger relationship with your audience.

An example: share in your blog or newsletter how you use AI to create relevant content faster, but also show how your team puts their own spin on this with unique insights and experiences. In this way, you make it clear that AI is a tool that enhances your human expertise, not replaces it. 

14. AI training: the new normal

Continuous learning and AI literacy will become crucial in 2025, in part because of obligations under the AI EU Act. The first rules will go into effect Feb. 2, 2025, in the Netherlands, requiring organizations to ensure AI literacy.

Organizations are investing in ongoing AI training, promoting responsible use and leveraging AI for growth. Essential are practical role- and task-level workshops, training in recognizing biases, and AI literacy to use technology ethically and impactfully.

This requires a structural approach where teams learn how to use AI intelligently for their specific work. It is not just about technical knowledge, but rather about understanding the possibilities and limitations of AI. This is how you develop a team that makes informed choices in the use of AI tools.

From NXTLI, we support you in this with the weekly AI Marketing Friday and the monthly webinar Marketing AI in Practice. We will expand this with targeted trainings and workshops to help marketing teams increase their knowledge and deploy AI effectively. If you already have a specific need for this, let us know.

15. Rapid development and competition among AI tools 

Another marketing AI trend in 2025 will be continued intense competition between AI platforms. We will face many new releases and updates. This accelerates innovation and makes for better and better tools. But it also forces people to stay flexible, continuously experiment, make choices, adopt and evaluate AI tools regularly.

This means a new way of working for marketing teams. It is no longer enough to know one tool and stick to it. You need to be able to assess which new developments are relevant to your goals and when it's time to switch to a better solution.

The biggest challenge becomes finding the right balance. Not every update requires immediate action, but waiting too long to innovate can put you at a disadvantage. Marketing teams that can quickly determine which new features are valuable AND successfully implement them will remain the most relevant. This requires a combination of curiosity, strategic insight and the ability to move quickly when needed.

16. Redefining man's role and time commitment

Finally, with all the developments we have discussed, we come to an essential question: what will be our role as humans in a world where AI takes over more and more tasks? Where do we spend our time to get satisfaction from our work and remain valuable? 

This is the time to reshape our work and focus on what is truly meaningful. We see three major shifts: 

1. From routine to strategy

AI is taking over more and more routine and repetitive tasks. This gives us the opportunity to focus more on strategic and creative tasks. Think about:

  • Developing innovative ideas and solutions.
  • Smartly implementing and optimizing AI systems.
  • Building more valuable relationships with customers and colleagues.
  • Making informed ethical choices.

2. More focus on human skills

Precisely what makes us unique becomes more important: our capacity for empathy, intuition, emotion, creativity and looking at something from different insights and context. This can be seen in:

  • Coming up with distinctive concepts.
  • Understanding what really moves people.
  • Leading teams in an AI-driven environment.

3. More conscious user of time

With AI freeing up time, we can use our time differently. How do we use that time to not only work and live more productively, but also happily and meaningfully? 

  • More room for innovation and development.
  • Attention to well-being and reflection.
  • Contribute to larger social issues.

So there are many different marketing AI trends that will come into play. In this, it is important to find the right balance. How do you combine the best of AI with human qualities? The basis for success lies in continuing to learn, deepening your expertise and making conscious choices in what you spend your time on.

For marketers, this represents an opportunity to work fundamentally differently. Strategically deploying AI for executive tasks such as customer service, content management and data analytics creates space for where people really make a difference: thinking strategically and creatively, building authentic customer relationships and exploring new opportunities. 

The future demands a combination of technology and humanity. Not either AI or humans, but humans and AI together. By thinking about this now and experimenting with it, you will be ready for what is to come.

Take a leap forward in your marketing AI transformation every week

Every Friday, we bring you the latest insights, news and real-world examples on the impact of AI in the marketing world. Whether you want to improve your marketing efficiency, increase customer engagement, sharpen your marketing strategy or digitally transform your business. 'Marketing AI Friday' is your weekly guide.

Sign up for Marketing AI Friday for free.

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With ChatGPT search, OpenAI has introduced a new way of searching that is simple and effective. No ads and dozens of blue links, but targeted answers that respond to what you really want to know.

To ensure the quality of search results, OpenAI uses search engine Bing and collaborates with reputable media partners such as the Associated Press and Le Monde. These collaborations ensure that users receive relevant and reliable information, which increases trust in ChatGPT search.

For marketers and business owners, now is the time to capitalize on this development. Those who ensure that content is easily findable in these search results now can build an advantage. It not only ensures more reach, but also strengthens your position as an expert in your field.

First, want to know more about ChatGPT search and the rise of AI optimization (AIO)? Then read our extensive article on it.

Bing becomes more important for online findability

ChatGPT search works closely with Microsoft's search engine Bing. Thanks to Bing's comprehensive index, ChatGPT's search tool has real-time access to Web sites and current information such as news, sports scores and weather forecasts.

Although the number of users is still much lower than with Google, it is smart to include Bing in your SEO strategy. Companies that capitalize on this now can benefit from growing usage and less competition than with Google. In doing so, focus on content that truly responds to current user queries and search intentions.

Getting started with Bing Webmaster Tools

Bing Webmaster Tools is similar to Google Search Console. The platform shows how your website is performing organically and which pages may have indexing problems.

Important first steps:

  • Add a sitemap for proper website structure.
  • Check regularly for indexing errors.
  • Solve problems quickly for better accessibility.
  • Use the analyses to make targeted improvements. By the way, these analyses are fairly limited.

We recommend configuring Bing Webmaster Tools right away as part of your SEO strategy. It's a simple yet powerful way to increase your visibility on Bing and take full advantage of the opportunities this platform offers.

Control your visibility with OAI-SearchBot

To be visible in ChatGPT search, the OAI-SearchBot must be able to crawl your website. This crawler indexes content specifically for ChatGPT search and does not use your content as training data.

Don't want the SearchBot to crawl your website? Then add this line to your robots.txt:

User-agent: OAI-SearchBot Disallow: /

We do not recommend blocking this, so your website will just remain findable in search results.

The future of online search

Online search behavior continues to evolve. New players such as OpenAI and Perplexity are challenging traditional search engines, while platforms such as TikTok are also increasingly being used for searches.

Speech is also becoming increasingly important. All major AI tools are developing advanced speech features for real-time conversations. When this becomes available for search, your content should also be able to be indexed properly for speech.

This offers opportunities for companies that want to strengthen their online findability. By proactively responding to these developments and focusing on quality content that matches users' search intentions, you strengthen your online position.

Take a leap forward in your marketing AI transformation every week

Every Friday, we bring you the latest insights, news and real-world examples on the impact of AI in the marketing world. Whether you want to improve your marketing efficiency, increase customer engagement, sharpen your marketing strategy or digitally transform your business. 'Marketing AI Friday' is your weekly guide.

Sign up for Marketing AI Friday for free.

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At a time when digital transformation is no longer a choice but a necessity, successful organizations distinguish themselves by cleverly combining four core elements: AI, Business, Content and Data. They reinforce each other and together create a lasting competitive advantage.

The four building blocks give you the tools to create value in an increasingly dynamic digital playing field. If you use the ABCD principle strategically, you will strengthen your position and build strong relationships.

AI as a smart extension of your organization

AI offers unique opportunities for organizations to turn raw data into valuable insights. This allows you to discover and understand trends and patterns, predict customer behavior and proactively respond to market developments. This can be done by using AI to analyze data.

In addition, you can also use AI to deploy AI colleagues to support you in various tasks that you do on a daily basis, for example, such as writing captions, content and analyzing data or writing content.

In addition to its practical applicability, AI can also support the creation of insights that are important for both operational improvement and customer experience. There are many applications and by deploying AI well, it can serve as a foundation for digital growth.

Business as a catalyst for digital growth

A Business Acceleration Scan helps map out how your business is doing. By continuously evaluating and optimizing your performance, you future-proof your business model. By using the framework and focusing on goals such as customer engagement and brand loyalty, you will optimize your processes and increase your value in the digital ecosystem.

In sectors such as the dance industry, organizations are using this framework to strengthen connections with fans and build brand value through data-driven insights. This shows how the framework increases not only operational value, but also the relationships and collaborations needed for growth in the digital world.

Content as an engine of engagement and value creation

Content plays an important role in building digital power by connecting with customers and fans. You build your customer journey with it. With the Content Impact Model you can fine-tune your content strategy by formulating clear goals around reach, interaction, conversion and customer retention. Content thus becomes more than just a communication tool; it becomes a strategic instrument to strengthen relationships and create sustainable value within the ecosystem. A music label that actively communicates through social media, for example, can build a long-term relationship with fans through this model that adds economic and social value for both the brand and the broader ecosystem.

Data as a strategic resource and fuel for growth

Data provides contextual insights within with digital ecosystem. Data, within the ABCD principle, fuels collaboration and insight. By cleverly combining data with AI, you can deepen your customer relationships, uncover market opportunities and strengthen collaboration within the ecosystem. By leveraging data not only internally, but also externally, you can gain contextual insights that strengthen your digital network. This is how you strategically build a digital capability that adds both economic and relational value.

The ABCD principle as a foundation for value creation

The four pillars of the ABCD principle can help your business create value no matter what industry you are in. Check out this page, to learn more about the ABCD principle within e-commerce. However, digital value goes beyond the sum of these components; it arises from the interaction of data, relationships and collaboration. At a time when technological developments are racing, a strong digital capability is important if you want to innovate and grow. By focusing strategically on AI, Business, Content and Data, you can secure your digital future and add sustainable value for both your customers and partners.

The ABDC principle provides the foundation for sustainable growth and enables you to not only survive, but thrive in the ever-changing digital world. Want help with this? Then get in touch with us.

Take a leap forward in your marketing AI transformation every week

Every Friday, we bring you the latest insights, news and real-world examples on the impact of AI in the marketing world. Whether you want to improve your marketing efficiency, increase customer engagement, sharpen your marketing strategy or digitally transform your business. 'Marketing AI Friday' is your weekly guide.

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You've probably heard of the term "content," but what exactly does it mean? Content includes all forms of information you share with your target audience as a business. This can range from written articles and videos to social media posts and emails. It is an important part of marketing because it is how you effectively communicate your message to your (potential) customers and the outside world.

Content is the foundation of your online presence. It is how you become visible and build relationships with potential customers. So for entrepreneurs, it is not just another part of your business, it is the way to communicate and provide value to your audience.

The value of content for your business

Entrepreneurs who understand how to use content effectively often see their businesses grow faster. That's because content helps you increase both your visibility and credibility. When you share valuable information, people are more likely to see your brand as a trusted source. You attract people who are looking for knowledge or solutions to their problems, and that gives you a chance to show them how your product or service can help them.

With content, you demonstrate your expertise. By sharing what you know, you not only build rapport with your audience, but you also show that you are knowledgeable. More and more people value sincerity and reliability. The right content can therefore make the difference between being noticed or not.

Want to know how to use content to make real impact? Developing a Next Level content strategy can help you not only be visible, but also appeal to the right people and measurably improve your results.

Content in different forms

There are many ways to create content, depending on what suits your business. An article like this can help you answer certain questions and improve your search engine findability (with SEO). A video allows you to show what your business does in a more visual way, while social media like Facebook or Instagram allows you to stay connected with your followers in an informal way.

For business owners, it's important to choose which form of content best suits their purpose and target audience. Whether you're writing, filming or posting on Instagram, it's all about providing value. Content isn't about your business, it's about what your audience needs. That's where your focus should be.

When you want to gain insight into which forms of content work best for your business, a content impact scan can help point you in the right direction. It will give you quick clarity on which channels and strategies will give you the most return on investment.

Why consistency in content is important

Content creation is more than just the occasional article or post. Consistency plays an important role in building a recognizable brand and building trust with your audience. Sharing relevant content regularly ensures that you remain visible to your target audience. This strengthens the relationship you build with potential customers. Consistency in content also shows that you are a reliable source of information and this can ultimately lead to more engagement and conversion.

Take a leap forward in your marketing AI transformation every week

Every Friday, we bring you the latest insights, news and real-world examples on the impact of AI in the marketing world. Whether you want to improve your marketing efficiency, increase customer engagement, sharpen your marketing strategy or digitally transform your business. 'Marketing AI Friday' is your weekly guide.

Sign up for Marketing AI Friday for free.

Marketing AI Friday