IPA Bellwether: ‘Much of today’s AI investment is being wasted’

Excerpt shared from Performance Marketing World's 'IPA Bellwether: ‘Much of today’s AI investment is being wasted’’:


In the face of ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty and budget tension, marketers are relatively aligned on AI’s potential to solve modern marketing problems, the real challenge is implementing the technology effectively.


The latest IPA Bellwether report painted a pessimistic picture for the future of adland, with the usual boost from the Golden Quarter marred by 0.0% growth in UK adspend. Cost pressures, muted economic activity, budget constraints and another Autumn

Budget all contributed to the spending slowdown. However, despite the troubling figures, the future is not without opportunity –

headlined by technological innovation, specifically AI.


‘AI is not a stand alone solution’

James Macdonald, co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer, Limelight:


“AI expectedly continues to dominate industry developments and news headlines as companies continue to examine its ongoing iterations and impact. Its most important application should not be overlooked – AI is not a standalone solution, but a driver of efficiency that supports and enhances human-directed goals and agendas. When used correctly, it enables scale, performance and better outcomes

– but it remains most effective when guided by human strategy, judgment and intent, rather than operating in isolation.”


Read the full article on Performance Marketing World:

Read it here
How Leading Ad Networks Turn Dynamic Optimisation into a Competitive Advantage
February 17, 2026
Ad networks have sophisticated technology, wider demand access and connections with several platforms. However, the ability to monetise demand effectively does not hinge simply on access but on how optimisation is executed.
The ARC Playbook For CTV Networks: How CTV Networks Scale Faster with Dynamic Optimisation
February 9, 2026
The CTV networks that will be able to match the channel’s rise will be the ones with the ability to make quick and reliable optimisation decisions. It’s in this scenario that Limelight’s latest product, Adaptive Rules Center (ARC) - a rule-based toolkit that lets partners automate performance optimisations across their
More Posts