The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence in marketing has created a significant gap between available tools and industry understanding, prompting U of Digital to launch the AI Literacy Alliance with 14 technology partners. This collaborative initiative aims to establish a shared educational foundation that helps marketing and advertising professionals keep pace with AI capabilities that are transforming their industry.
According to Myles Younger, Chief Growth Officer at U of Digital, "AI capability has sprinted way ahead of AI literacy. The tools are here, but understanding hasn't caught up. Marketers are hungry for knowledge, but every AI-native company is currently faced with solving that education gap on its own. The AI Literacy Alliance saves the industry from having to write the same AI playbook a thousand times over." This addresses the inefficiency of individual companies educating customers separately on foundational AI concepts.
The alliance includes prominent technology partners such as AdSkate, Anthrologic, Dstillery, Evertune, Gigi, Hightouch, MiQ, Optable, Snowflake, Transparent Partners, TwelveLabs, Viant, Vurvey Labs, and Yahoo DSP. These companies represent various aspects of AI implementation in marketing, from data platforms to programmatic advertising systems.
Industry leaders emphasize the critical importance of this initiative. Florian Delval, Product Marketing Principal for Marketing and Advertising at Snowflake, noted that "Data is the backbone of every AI breakthrough. Helping marketers build literacy around data and AI ensures innovation becomes part of every marketing decision." Similarly, Alia Lamborghini, SVP of Global Revenue at Yahoo DSP, explained that "AI is woven through programmatic media planning, activation, and measurement. For marketers and agencies to get the most out of intelligent DSPs, they need a shared foundation of AI literacy — it's how our entire ecosystem will level up together."
The alliance's programming focuses on three core pillars designed to accelerate AI adoption across the marketing industry. First, scalable AI education provides alliance partners with U of Digital training credits they can extend to customers, pairing innovation with structured learning. Second, industry research and benchmarking includes participation in thought leadership initiatives like the upcoming AI Literacy Benchmark Survey, which will measure AI knowledge and confidence across marketing and advertising. Third, curriculum collaboration allows alliance members to contribute expertise to U of Digital AI training curricula, helping shape how emerging AI capabilities are learned and adopted.
Brian Stempeck, CEO and Co-founder of Evertune, highlighted how "AI search is changing how brands are discovered. Marketers who understand how these systems actually work will be better positioned to influence the conversation." This reflects the practical implications of AI literacy for brand strategy and consumer engagement. Alec Haase, General Manager of AI Products at Hightouch, added that "Agents are redefining what it means to be a marketer. As new products emerge and existing tools become more autonomous, AI literacy becomes the most important skill — knowing how to direct these tools and evaluate what they produce."
The AI Literacy Alliance represents a coordinated response to what U of Digital identifies as AI changing marketing faster than most professionals can keep up. With new tools launching daily and understanding lagging behind capability, this initiative creates a common foundation that helps marketers explore and innovate with AI more confidently and effectively. More information about the alliance is available at https://uof.digital/ai/alliance.
