• AI Trailblazers
  • Posts
  • Navigating AI: The Inaugural AI Trailblazers Power 100 and more

Navigating AI: The Inaugural AI Trailblazers Power 100 and more

April 14, 2025

In this edition of the newsletter, we present the inaugural AI Trailblazers Power 100 in cooperation with ADWEEK. Also, we look at AI therapy - how do you feel about it? How AI is showing up in the court room and Google’s warning on AGI.

Now is the time to register for our annual AI Trailblazers Summer Summit that we will be hosting on June 5th in New York, NY. Registration has opened, don’t waste time - grab a seat now. Space is limited.

Announcing the AI Trailblazers Power 100

This inaugural list honors individuals who are reshaping the marketing ecosystem through the transformative power of artificial intelligence. It was developed through a rigorous, multi-phase process conducted over several months, in close collaboration between teams from both partnering organizations. From a large and competitive pool of submissions, each nominee was assessed against four critical dimensions:

💡 Impact on AI Innovation
💡 Thought Leadership & Influence
💡 Organizational Leadership & Execution
💡 Industry & Community Recognition

Each submission underwent careful verification to ensure authenticity and accuracy. In addition, a distinct layer of evaluation focused on the nominee’s technological influence within AI was applied, to capture the depth and relevance of their contributions.

Being an AI Trailblazer isn’t just a title—it’s a mindset. It means taking smart risks, pushing boundaries, and often investing late nights and weekends to stay ahead of the curve and implement change in real time. It demands vision, courage, perseverance, diplomacy, integrity, unconventional partnerships, and continuous learning.

The individuals in this inaugural cohort serve as powerful reminders of what’s possible when AI leadership is grounded in ethical purpose and relentless curiosity. Their stories offer compelling evidence that the future of marketing—when shaped by thoughtful, values-driven innovators—holds immense promise.

Some quick stats: 
📊 40% of honorees came from Fortune 1000 brand-side organizations
📊 The rest represented agencies (19%), thought leaders (16%), technologists (15%), & martech pioneers (11%)
📊 Gender distribution: 60% male, 40% female
📊 Nominations were global, with representation across all leadership levels—from emerging professionals to C-suite executives

AI Bots Step Into the Therapist’s Chair

As the U.S. faces a growing shortage of mental health providers, researchers at Dartmouth College have turned to artificial intelligence for help. NPR reports on a groundbreaking clinical trial, they tested a specially trained AI "therabot" and found it could deliver therapy with results rivaling — and sometimes exceeding — those of human clinicians. The findings, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, suggest AI may play a transformative role in making mental health care more accessible, effective, and available around the clock.

  • AI bots may soon offer effective therapy: A randomized clinical trial by Dartmouth researchers found that AI therapy bots can be as effective as human clinicians. The study involved 200 participants with conditions like anxiety, depression, or eating disorders. Those who used the AI bot showed notable improvements compared to untreated individuals.

  • Strong emotional bonds formed with AI therapists: Participants reported forming deep, trusting relationships with their AI therapy bots. This connection is significant, as trust and rapport are key predictors of success in talk therapy. The bots were perceived as collaborative partners in managing mental health.

  • 24/7 support boosts accessibility and effectiveness: Unlike human therapists, AI bots were available around the clock, offering support whenever symptoms arose. Patients engaged frequently, even during late-night episodes of insomnia. This constant availability helped address mental health issues in real-time.

  • Experts praise the science, caution against unregulated use: The American Psychological Association applauded the bot’s scientific rigor and safety. However, it warned against unregulated AI therapies, which have previously caused harm. Researchers emphasized that more trials are needed, and human therapists remain essential amid the growing demand.

AI Trailblazer Takeaways: AI therapists? This is the ultimate AI replacing a human technology. Can AI relate to a human or just listen and provide textbook answers? Either way, it is a very novel solve for the persistent shortage of mental health providers. Would you pour out your issues or emotions to a completely anonymous and confidential AI therapist?

AI in Court — And Gets Schooled by Real Judges

In a striking example of AI’s growing — and sometimes awkward — presence in the courtroom, a recent New York appeals hearing was disrupted when it was revealed that a plaintiff had submitted an argument delivered by an AI-generated avatar. As APNews details, the virtual speaker fooled no one, and the judges quickly expressed their frustration over the unexpected stunt. The incident highlights both the promise and peril of artificial intelligence in the legal system, especially as individuals and institutions alike grapple with how to use it responsibly.

  • AI Avatar Shocks NY Courtroom
    An employment dispute took a surreal turn when an AI-generated avatar appeared in a New York courtroom to argue a case. The judges quickly realized the speaker wasn’t real and halted the video in frustration. Plaintiff Jerome Dewald admitted to creating the avatar himself, explaining he lacked a lawyer and hoped the AI would present his argument more clearly than he could.

  • Court Not Amused by Digital Deception
    Justice Sallie Manzanet-Daniels scolded Dewald for not disclosing the avatar’s use in advance, expressing clear disapproval of being misled. Despite her anger, she allowed Dewald to continue presenting his case. Dewald later apologized, saying his intention wasn’t to deceive but to overcome his own nervousness and speaking issues.

  • AI in Law: From Gaffes to Guidelines
    This isn't the first time AI has stirred controversy in courtrooms—past cases involved lawyers citing fake cases made up by chatbots. In one instance, Michael Cohen’s legal team cited AI-fabricated rulings without realizing the tech’s flaws. While those were unintentional, Dewald’s case highlights how unrepresented individuals may unknowingly misuse AI without proper legal guidance.

  • Courts Cautiously Embrace AI Amid Missteps
    Despite these issues, courts are cautiously exploring AI, with Arizona’s Supreme Court introducing avatars “Daniel” and “Victoria” to summarize rulings. Experts like Daniel Shin say such incidents are bound to happen as tech becomes more accessible. While trained lawyers may avoid such missteps, individuals like Dewald are often left without clear rules when navigating new digital tools in legal settings.

AI Trailblazer Takeaways: Are we on the precipice of AI lawyers? Perhaps the only profession that can seriously halt or hinder the progress of AI is the legal one. Expect to see more incidents like these pop up and a more intense debate to ensue.

Brains vs. Bots: DeepMind Predicts AGI by 2030

Fortune reports that Google DeepMind has released a sweeping 145-page paper outlining its concerns and strategies around the rapid development of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). Predicting that human-level AI could plausibly emerge by 2030, the report warns of existential risks that could “permanently destroy humanity” if not properly managed. While some experts question the timeline and even the definition of AGI, DeepMind urges the global community to take the technology's potential dangers seriously—and act accordingly.

  • DeepMind Predicts AGI by 2030, Raises Alarming Warnings
    Google DeepMind’s new 145-page paper states that Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) could plausibly emerge by 2030. The researchers warn that AGI may pose “existential risks” capable of permanently destroying humanity. While they stop short of detailing specific doomsday scenarios, they urge immediate attention to the potential for “severe harm.”

  • Four Key Risk Areas and DeepMind's Safety Strategy
    The paper identifies four major AGI risks: misuse, misalignment, mistakes, and structural risks involving competing interests. DeepMind outlines a proactive mitigation strategy focused on early detection of dangerous capabilities and preventing misuse. The company also critiques OpenAI and Anthropic, suggesting they are either too focused on alignment or lax on safety protocols.

  • Experts Call for More Action and Question AGI Itself
    Some AI safety experts praised DeepMind’s efforts but argue they fall short of addressing the full scale of AGI risks. Critics also point out that AGI remains an ill-defined concept that’s difficult to measure or regulate effectively. Concerns include not just extinction, but massive political and social upheaval caused by superhuman AI systems.

  • Uncertain Timelines Fuel Debate Across the AI Community
    While DeepMind suggests AGI may arrive by 2030, other tech leaders predict even earlier breakthroughs—or remain skeptical of AGI altogether. Dario Amodei of Anthropic sees superhuman AI within two to three years, while OpenAI’s Sam Altman hints it’s already on the horizon. Still, voices like Gary Marcus argue current AI lacks critical human abilities like reasoning and learning from minimal data.

AI Trailblazer Takeaways: We’ve all seen or read doomsday fiction where an artificial intelligence destroys or attempts to end the human race. Until recently, we dismissed this as sensationalized fiction but now when we’re so close to fiction becoming reality, we should take a moment to put the safeguards in place….or risk our own demise.

Quote of the Week

“In 10 to 15 years, professionals will likely manage AI agents in a collaborative, symbiotic relationship.” 

- Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI and co-founder of DeepMind

AI Trailblazers Upcoming Forums Calendar

  • June 5th, 2025 - AI Trailblazers Summer Summit, New York, NY

  • December 3rd, 2025 - AI Trailblazers Winter Summit, New York, NY

Get in touch for speaking and sponsorship opportunities at these upcoming forums.

Partner with AI Trailblazers

Our community of business leaders is growing fast and we are planning more forums. To discuss partnership opportunities that connect our partners with AI decision makers including at our summits and this newsletter, email us.

What is AI Trailblazers?

AI Trailblazers is a vibrant platform dedicated to uniting corporate marketers, technologists, entrepreneurs, and venture capitalists at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI). Our mission is to fuel growth, innovation, and career development among our members, who all want to be at the forefront of incorporating artificial intelligence into their businesses and their lives for strategic advantage. More information here.