Last week, Forrester’s B2B Summit APAC in Singapore saw a remarkable gathering of CMOs and key marketing leaders from across the Asia Pacific region. Every year, the Summit has consistently provided a valuable platform for CMOs across the region to connect with analysts and their industry peers and discuss emerging trends in marketing. This year’s event was no exception, offering unique insights and opportunities to share and learn from others’ experiences.

A key theme that emerged was the imperative to break down silos within revenue processes and reimagine a customer-centric approach that aligns with the customer throughout the entire lifecycle. Rapid advancements in technology, particularly generative AI (genAI) and agentic AI, are accelerating this transformation in three critical ways.

Changing The Nature of Work

The nature of work is evolving rapidly, driven by changing customer expectations and technological advancements. As AI capabilities continue to advance, marketers must adapt their strategies to stay relevant and competitive. Human+AI collaboration will be essential in driving innovation and delivering exceptional customer experiences. Instilling this mindset as we think of work, jobs, and tasks will be crucial to succeed in the months and years to come.

Pursuing Agentic AI As The Next Frontier

Organizations are at various stages of AI adoption. Those in the early stages are exploring AI capabilities and conducting small-scale pilots. As organizations gain experience, they scale up their AI initiatives and integrate AI into core business processes. Ultimately, the most advanced organizations leverage AI to fundamentally transform their business models and operations.

Agentic AI represents the next frontier in generative AI. This groundbreaking technology is set to transform the way businesses operate, offering marketers a wealth of opportunities for innovation, productivity, and transformation. As companies expand their AI initiatives, agentic AI can streamline routine tasks and enhance efficiency by granting AI systems greater autonomy in decision-making.

For marketing leaders looking to revolutionize their processes and operations, agentic AI provides a pathway to achieving more ambitious AI goals. By implementing autonomous AI systems across various marketing subfunctions and teams, organizations can foster innovation, improve decision-making, boost efficiency, and increase overall autonomy, propelling them to new heights in the rapidly evolving world of AI-driven marketing.

Sparking Cultural Change And Innovation

Organizations leading the way in agentic AI typically invest heavily in AI, foster a culture of innovation and experimentation, and prioritize continuous learning and adaptation. By embodying these characteristics, organizations can position themselves to harness the full potential of agentic AI and drive innovation in their respective industries.

Forrester’s B2B Summit APAC provided a valuable opportunity to explore the exciting potential of agentic AI and the changing nature of work. As marketers navigate this evolving landscape, understanding the stages of AI adoption, leveraging the benefits of agentic AI, and utilizing the appropriate tools will be crucial for driving success.

If you are exploring how to put genAI to work for your marketing organization, or if you missed attending the Summit and would like me to walk you through my keynote, feel free to schedule time for us to catch up. Happy to chat!