Are you AI-savvy enough to survive? A wake-up call for CMOs

As a CMO you’re the captain of the marketing ship, navigating through the turbulent seas of consumer behavior and technological advancements such as AI, while your crew is still trying to figure out how to operate the GPS. So if you’re feeling a bit seasick, you’re not alone. According to the latest Gartner data, a mere 15% of CMOs are considered “AI-savvy” by their own CEOs.

This alarming statistic highlights a critical gap in the marketing landscape, where the winds of change are being propelled by artificial intelligence. As the focus shifts toward AI-driven strategies, it’s clear that succeeding in this new environment requires more than just traditional marketing skills; it demands a fresh level of savvy and adaptability.

If you’re not equipped to harness the power of AI, you risk being left behind as your competitors race ahead, ready to seize the opportunities that come with this transformative technology.

The marketing reality check

Let’s face it: we live in a world where AI is the must-have accessory. It’s not just a trend; it’s the driving force behind business transformation. Yet, many CMOs are still treating AI like a fancy new toy—great for show but not quite sure how to play with it. However, CEOs are betting big on AI, with Gartner’s latest CEO survey of 456 executives worldwide revealing 77% believe it’s ushering in a new business era. Meanwhile, these same leaders believe that their CMOs are unsure of how to fully leverage this powerful tool.

So, why might CMOs not be considered AI-savvy by their CEOs? Here are a few hypotheses:

1. Fear of the unknown: Many CMOs may feel overwhelmed by the rapid pace of AI advancements, leading to a reluctance to fully embrace the technology. This fear can create a perception of incompetence.
2. Lack of training: If marketing teams aren’t provided with the necessary training and resources to understand and implement AI, it’s no wonder they struggle to demonstrate their AI capabilities.
3. Over-reliance on traditional methods: Some CMOs may cling to traditional marketing strategies, viewing AI as an optional add-on rather than an essential component of their strategy. This can lead to a disconnect between their approach and the expectations of their CEOs.
4. Data dilemmas: Without a robust data strategy, leveraging AI becomes nearly impossible. CMOs who lack the ability to analyze and interpret data effectively may find themselves at a disadvantage.
5. ROI uncertainty: If CMOs cannot clearly articulate the return on investment for AI initiatives, they risk being seen as out of touch with the business’s financial goals.

This isn’t merely a skills gap; it’s a strategic blind spot that could sink your ship. If you’re not AI-savvy, you’re not just behind the curve—you’re off the map. David Furlonger, VP Analyst at Gartner, puts it bluntly:

“If savviness across the C-suite is not rapidly improved, competitiveness will suffer, and corporate survival will be at stake.”

The AI go-to-market competency crisis

Gartner’s survey reveals a staggering disconnect between CEO ambitions and the readiness of marketing leaders. While CEOs are eager to embrace AI, CMOs are lagging behind, with only 15% feeling equipped for the AI transformation.

Imagine trying to bake a soufflé without knowing how to turn on the oven. That’s what it feels like for many CMOs today. The math doesn’t add up, and if you don’t evolve quickly, you risk becoming obsolete.

CEOs have identified two critical barriers to AI deployment: a lack of skilled talent and an inability to calculate value or outcomes. For marketing teams, this translates into the urgent need for talent that can prompt-engineer at scale and create compelling AI-driven content. It’s not enough to implement AI: You must prove that it drives engagement, conversion, and retention—not just efficiency.

The upskilling imperative

Success isn’t just about hiring new talent; it’s about equipping your current team with the skills to seamlessly incorporate AI into their daily tasks. Marketers should master AI-assisted content creation, campaign optimization, churn prediction, and upsell opportunities.

This is where BrazeAI™ comes into play. Think of it as your trusty sidekick, ready to help you create on-brand, tone-controlled copy in just a few clicks or generate graphics that align with your brand identity. With BrazeAI™, you can elevate your messaging, personalize customer interactions, and optimize every touchpoint throughout the customer journey.

Astha Malik, Chief Business Officer at Braze, captures this sentiment perfectly when commenting on the 2025 Customer Engagement Review: “I truly believe it is the best time to be a marketer. The trends we've uncovered in this report show that by pairing the power of human connection with the force-multiplying power of AI, marketers can build an authentic brand presence and craft experiences that drive sustainable growth.”

The power of AI in marketing

Now, let’s sprinkle in some behavioral insights, shall we? According to the 2025 Customer Engagement Review, which surveyed 2,300 VP+ marketers, VP level marketers are getting behind AI. However, without a compelling strategy from the c-suite, many teams are left using their best judgement without alignment. Here are some eye-opening stats:

• 39% of respondents are using AI-powered solutions to analyze customer data in more advanced ways.
• 38% are leveraging AI data tools to better understand customer sentiment and preferences.
• Top-performing brands are 30% more likely to use AI-powered predictive analytics to identify customers likely to churn.
• They are also 15% more likely to use AI to generate images for messaging campaigns and to automatically QA content for consistency and brand alignment.

These insights underscore the importance of integrating AI into your marketing strategy—not just as a tool, but as a fundamental shift in how you engage with customers.

The bottom line for CMOs

So, what’s the takeaway here? The numbers don’t lie: There’s a critical gap between CEO AI expectations and marketing leadership readiness. Companies with AI-savvy CMOs will dominate their markets. Those led by executives stuck in traditional thinking will lose customers and market share.

Here’s a thought-provoking question to ponder: Will you be ready to monetize this transformation, or will you be replaced by someone who is? The clock is ticking, and the future waits for no one.

So, dear CMOs, it’s time to embrace the AI revolution. Get savvy with BrazeAI™, or get left behind. After all, in the world of marketing, it’s not just about keeping up; it’s about leading the charge. Now, go forth and conquer—your customers are waiting!