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The Future of Shopping? AI + Actual Humans.

AI has changed how consumers shop by speeding up research. But one thing hasn’t changed: shoppers still trust people more than AI.

Levanta’s new Affiliate 3.0 Consumer Report reveals a major shift in how shoppers blend AI tools with human influence. Consumers use AI to explore options, but when it comes time to buy, they still turn to creators, communities, and real experiences to validate their decisions.

The data shows:

  • Only 10% of shoppers buy through AI-recommended links

  • 87% discover products through creators, blogs, or communities they trust

  • Human sources like reviews and creators rank higher in trust than AI recommendations

The most effective brands are combining AI discovery with authentic human influence to drive measurable conversions.

Affiliate marketing isn’t being replaced by AI, it’s being amplified by it.

Download the full report to see what this means for your brand.

Turning data, insights, and AI into real business value—under one clear leader

Data and AI are no longer side projects. They now influence strategy, revenue, customer experience, security, and operations. Yet in many organizations, data, analytics, and AI initiatives are still scattered across teams with no single owner.

That’s where a Chief Data, Analytics, and AI Officer (CDAIO) comes in.

This role is quickly becoming essential for organizations that want to move beyond experimentation and turn data and AI into measurable outcomes.

The problem: data and AI without ownership

Many organizations face the same challenges:

  • Data teams operate in silos

  • Analytics insights don’t reach decision-makers

  • AI projects stall after pilots

  • Business leaders don’t trust the data

  • Ethics, privacy, and governance are unclear

Without unified leadership, data becomes fragmented—and AI becomes risky or ineffective.

What a Chief Data, Analytics, and AI Officer actually does

The CDAIO brings strategy, execution, and accountability together.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Defining a clear data and AI vision aligned with business goals

  • Ensuring data quality, consistency, and accessibility

  • Turning analytics into actionable insights—not just dashboards

  • Overseeing responsible and ethical AI use

  • Connecting technical teams with business leadership

This role ensures data and AI serve the organization—not the other way around.

Why combining data, analytics, and AI matters

Separating these functions creates friction.

Data feeds analytics.
Analytics guides AI.
AI amplifies decision-making.

When all three report to one executive:

  • Insights move faster

  • AI models reflect real business needs

  • Investments are prioritized correctly

  • Risk is managed proactively

The CDAIO becomes the bridge between raw data and strategic action.

Driving trust and accountability

AI adoption raises serious questions:

  • Can we trust the outputs?

  • Is the data biased?

  • Are we compliant with regulations?

  • Who is responsible when something goes wrong?

A dedicated executive ensures:

  • Clear governance frameworks

  • Transparent decision-making

  • Ethical AI practices

  • Accountability at the leadership level

Trust becomes a feature—not an afterthought.

A competitive advantage, not just a title

Organizations that treat data and AI as core leadership responsibilities:

  • Make faster, better decisions

  • Adapt quickly to market changes

  • Extract real ROI from AI investments

  • Avoid costly missteps

The CDAIO isn’t about adding bureaucracy—it’s about unlocking value at scale.

Final Thoughts

Data, analytics, and AI are reshaping how organizations compete. But without strong leadership, even the best technology falls short.

A Chief Data, Analytics, and AI Officer provides clarity, direction, and accountability—turning information into intelligence and intelligence into impact.

In the AI era, this role isn’t optional.
It’s strategic.

Let's keep learning together

Best regards,

Imran

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