The Top Four Martech Trends in 2025

This Week

Here’s this week’s rundown:

• How to do a week’s worth of work in 30 minutes using AI

• Microsoft’s new AI readiness wizard will gauge your AI preparedness

• The latest Martech 2025 report is out: top trends below

• Slack’s latest workforce report shows AI adoption stalling

• How to stop AI from using your data

How to Do A Week’s Work in 30 Minutes Using AI

What if you could cut a week’s worth of work down to 30 minutes? That’s what Jonathan M. Kvarfordt, founder of the GTM AI Academy, and I talked about on his podcast last week. 

Here are the four topics we covered:

1. Getting started with AI: Simple, beginner-friendly steps to integrate AI tools like ChatGPT into your daily workflow.

2. Advanced AI workflows: Tips on scaling your marketing strategy with AI-powered tools for content creation, customer profiling, and video production.

3. AI search strategies: Practical advice for optimizing content for AI bots and human engagement.

4. Proven tools and techniques: Recommendations for the best AI tools and how to use them.

👉 Want the full newsletter and podcast? Head over to GTM AI Academy.

Ready for AI? Microsoft’s Quiz Can Tell You

Before jumping into AI adoption, there’s one question every organization should answer:

Are we ready?

According to Carissa Eicholz, Director at Microsoft Cloud Marketing, the difference between success and struggle often lies in an organization’s AI readiness. Lucky for us, Microsoft created the AI Readiness Wizard, a tool designed to help you assess your preparedness and figure out your next steps.

The wizard segments readiness into five key stages and offers actionable guidance for each step.

1. Exploring: Learning AI fundamentals and its potential impacts on your industry.

2. Planning: Building an AI strategy and prioritizing initiatives.

3. Implementing: Getting leadership buy-in and allocating necessary resources.

4. Scaling: Fostering innovation and measuring AI-driven outcomes.

5. Realizing: Embedding AI in everyday operations for long-term transformation.

👉 Ready to take the quiz? Head over to the Microsoft blog.

AI is Reshaping Martech - Here’s How

 Martech is evolving, and AI is leading the charge.

The “Martech for 2025” report by Scott Brinker and Frans Riemersma breaks down the big shifts happening right now—AI integrations, smarter tech stacks, and platforms redefining how marketers work.

If you don’t have time to read the 108-page report, here are the top takeaways:

Trend #1: Smarter Tools, Seamless Integration
Big names like Adobe, HubSpot, Microsoft, and Salesforce are racing to embed AI into their existing platforms. These updates—ranging from generative AI features to machine learning analytics—are designed to help you do more, faster, without leaving the tools you already have in your tech stack.

Trend #2: The Rise of AI-Powered Specialists
While the giants are enhancing their platforms, independent players are shaking things up. AI-first tools, built for specific challenges like content creation or customer insights, are thriving. Think of these as precision tools that fill gaps traditional platforms can’t always cover.

Trend #3: AI Platforms Are Booming

In just one year, the martech world has welcomed 3,068 new tools—a staggering 27.8% growth since 2023. No wonder we’re all struggling to keep up.

Trend #4: New Models Redefining Martech
Emerging models like "service-as-a-software" (where AI agents handle tasks and charge based on outcomes) and low-code/no-code platforms are transforming marketer’s platform options. Instead of buying content distribution tools and building a team to manage them, AI-based service providers can handle the work—charging only for successful results like views, clicks, or leads. 

👉 Want the full breakdown of these trends and what they mean for your marketing strategy? Check out the report here.

Is AI Adoption Stalling?

According to Slack’s latest Workforce Index, excitement for AI might be cooling off just as quickly as it heated up. While executives and employees see AI’s potential, hurdles like uncertainty, stigma, and training gaps are holding back broader adoption.

Here are the main takeaways:

Executives Are All-In on AI

• A staggering 99% of executives plan to invest in AI within the next year.

• Almost as many (97%) are feeling the pressure to integrate AI into their operations ASAP.

Employees Are Curious but Cautious

• 76% of desk workers want to master AI, but adoption is leveling off.

• Excitement about AI has dropped globally, down from 47% to 41%.

AI Stigma on the Rise

• Nearly half of workers feel awkward telling their managers they’ve used AI for tasks. Why?

  • Fear of looking lazy or incompetent.

  • Concerns it’s seen as “cheating.”

Training (or Lack Thereof) Is a Major Barrier

• Many employees don’t feel confident using AI tools, leading to mistrust of their outputs.

Younger Workers Are Driving AI Usage

• Gen Z and Millennials are more likely to turn to AI than colleagues for advice on projects.

👉 For the full scoop and detailed insights, check out Slack’s blog.

How to Stop AI From Using Your Data

When you use tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot, your inputs are most definitely being used to train these models. 

The good news? 

Most platforms offer settings to help you manage how your data is used. Here's a quick guide to protecting your information:

ChatGPT

• Go to Settings.

• Find "Improve the model for everyone."

• Toggle it off to stop your data from being used for training.

Microsoft Copilot

• Open Privacy settings.

• Turn off text and voice training to prevent data collection.

Google Gemini

• Head to Chat History settings.

• Disable chat history to ensure your interactions aren’t used for training.

👉 You can find the step-by-step for all the models at The Verge.