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Episode 37 of the Big5D Podcast delves into how AI can move the needle for small business digital marketing in Africa. Our guest is Michelle Geere, the founder & CEO of AdBot.
AdBot is a Cape Town-based start-up that uses AI and machine learning to automate the process of advertising on Google and Bing for small businesses.
The conversation moves along briskly while covering a lot of ground, all of it touching on AI, digital marketing, SMEs, or all of the above. For example, Michelle offers her views on:
The ascendance of Bing vs Google in Africa
The nuances of acquiring small business customers.
Why AI broadly is much more about opportunities than threats.
How AI specifically offers tremendous opportunities for Africans.
The conversation addressed some of the likely impacts AI will have on business more broadly. And also on some of AI’s cultural impact. For example, Michelle offered why she doesn’t think AI can replace talents like “Fleabag” creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge. On the other hand, Michelle offers that the rapper, producer, and all-around cultural icon Will.i.am himself admits that AI could do most if not all of what he does.
Please enjoy this episode.
Interview Excerpts
The following are a few edited excerpts from our conversation with Michelle Geere. These excerpts represent but a fraction of our full conversation. Please listen to the podcast or watch the video to experience the entire interview.
On the evolution of Bing vs Google
The adoption of Chat GPT is actually where Bing comes in. If you have a look at market share in Africa over the last year, starting January 2022, up until January 2023, you'll see that the market share of Google ads, or just Google in general is taking a nosedive. And the opposite of that is that Bing is really picking up market share, which is really interesting.
On the limits of AI
I cannot see the machine writing “Fleabag” like Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
On AI’s impact on Africa
I think that there will be some leveling of playing fields, specifically in Africa.
On what’s next for Adbot
Our absolute passion is to make sure that small businesses in Africa have access to markets. Online advertising is the easiest and fastest way to do this. And channels like search offer the most conversions. So our 100% aim for the next year is to see how we get this into all the markets in Africa, starting with Nigeria.
The BIG5D Podcast features in-depth conversations with the leaders who are building, investing in, or taking to market the digital products and services designed to make micro, small and medium-sized businesses more successful in Africa and the Middle East.
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Also, please stay tuned for announcements regarding dates and locations for future BigFive Digital live events in Africa-Middle East.
BIG5D Podcast Ep. 37: "Automating Digital Marketing for SMEs" with AdBot Founder & CEO Michelle Geere