AI is moving faster than most business owners can keep up with and in 2026, it will radically change how marketing is executed. But despite the hype, AI won’t replace strategy, leadership, or trust.

In this episode of the Digital Success for Business Podcast, Leanne Cohens breaks down what AI will do brilliantly for marketing in 2026, where its limits are, and how to build a human-first marketing system that scales without losing authenticity. This is a practical, grounded conversation for business owners who want clarity not chaos as AI becomes embedded in every platform.

• What AI should automate in your marketing and what must stay human
• Why AI can execute brilliantly but can’t lead your strategy
• How hyper-personalisation and AI agents will reshape marketing in 2026
• The real risks of over-automating your message and brand voice
• Where businesses lose trust by handing over too much to AI
• How to use AI for efficiency without losing clarity or control

1. “AI can execute the work — but only humans can decide the direction.”

2. “Your competitive edge in 2026 isn’t using AI. It’s knowing where the human still matters.”

3. “AI should reinforce your brand, not replace your voice.”

• 00:00 Introduction: The Future of AI in Marketing
• 00:38 AI's Role in Marketing Execution
• 01:35 The Limits of AI in Marketing
• 02:10 Automation and Hyper-Personalization in 2026
• 03:18 AI in Content Generation and Supporting Intelligence
• 04:07 The Rise of AI Agents
• 04:45 Strategic Use of AI in Business
• 08:52 Practical Steps for 2026 Marketing Success
• 12:32 Final Thoughts and Next Steps

AI isn’t your replacement, it’s your reinforcement. But without strategy, leadership, and clear boundaries, it can dilute your message faster than it scales it.

If this episode has you realising your marketing needs clearer direction in 2026, that’s exactly what we help with at Marketing Leap. From Fractional CMO support to Done-For-You marketing systems and 90-Day Strategy Intensives, we help business owners stop guessing and start growing with clarity.

👉 Book your strategy session at https://marketingleap.net

P.S. In the next episode, we unpack the new buyer journey in 2026 — how people actually discover, validate, and decide to buy now. If you don’t understand this shift, you’ll miss both the moment and the revenue.

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