In Episode 98 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez sits down with Jen Neumann, CEO and owner of deNovo Marketing, to break down the findings from the 2025 AI Consumer Survey—a study her team launched to understand how real people feel about AI showing up in ads, emails, and digital content. The results reveal a mix of curiosity, confusion, and contradiction that every brand—especially DTC brands—should pay attention to.

One of the biggest surprises? Marketers think they're great at spotting AI, but the survey shows they actually scored lower than non-marketers. With AI-generated images looking more polished and more realistic than ever, many consumers now assume most content is AI—even when it's not. And in a moment where trust is already running low, that assumption can change how people interpret and react to a brand's message.

Listeners will learn: • Why consumers say AI matters to their decisions—but don't always act that way • How AI-generated content can unintentionally "make a brand look cheap" • Why authenticity and a less-polished aesthetic are gaining importance • The difference between impulse buys, necessities, and higher-stakes "considered purchases" • What Agentic Shopping could mean for brand awareness and attribution

Jen shares why brands need clear boundaries around AI use, starting with an internal policy that aligns with who they are and how they want to show up in the market. Whether your brand is mass-market or premium, digital-first or experiential, the real takeaway is simple: consumers are paying attention, and AI can help—or hurt—depending on how thoughtfully it's used.

For brand leaders and marketers across industries, this episode offers a grounded look at what's shifting in consumer perception and how to stay authentic, trustworthy, and strategic as AI becomes a bigger part of the customer journey.