Smartly, the leading AI-powered advertising technology platform, released its seventh annual Digital Trends Report, revealing that 2026 will mark a new era of predictive marketing where AI turns the funnel into a fluid, intelligent journey. The research highlights three major forces driving this shift: the rise of AI-powered decisioning and outcomes, the convergence of social, video, and CTV, and the evolution of precision-first marketing.

“We’re seeing a new class of precision-first marketers emerge, those who let intelligence guide where, how, and how fast they scale. They’re not just keeping pace with change, they’re shaping it.”

Based on proprietary data and insights from more than 450 global marketers, the report finds that most marketers are using AI for creative asset creation and optimization, with the majority planning to expand their predictive and creative intelligence capabilities in 2026. As campaigns stretch across more screens, precision-first marketers, those deeply embedding AI into workflows, now use six or more platforms to reach audiences, signaling that cross-channel fluency is no longer optional.

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“AI is fundamentally rewiring marketing, from creative ideation to performance optimization, and redefining how brands connect with consumers across social, video, and CTV,” said Brianna Gays, SVP, Marketing and Communications at Smartly. “We’re seeing a new class of precision-first marketers emerge, those who let intelligence guide where, how, and how fast they scale. They’re not just keeping pace with change, they’re shaping it.”

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Key Findings from Smartly’s 2026 Digital Trends Report

• AI is redefining engagement: 92% of marketers say AI is transforming how they connect with consumers, with one in three already using it for predictive modeling or AI-driven creative.
• Cross-channel fluency drives growth: Precision-first marketers advertise on nearly twice as many platforms and are 22% more likely to apply AI to campaign planning and creative workflows.
• Predictive intelligence fuels efficiency: These marketers are 27% more likely to keep media waste under 10% and 40% more likely to test campaigns with AI before launch.

As video consumption continues to proliferate across social and streaming platforms, Smartly’s findings underscore the growing connection between creative intelligence and video performance, laying the foundation for continued innovation across adtech, cross-platform, and CTV solutions.