MadTech Daily: Meta Reduces Reliance on Third-Party Vendors for Content Moderation in Favour of AI; Walmart Secures Patents for Algorithmic Pricing

Today’s MadTech Daily covers Meta announcing reduced reliance on third-party vendors as it expands its AI tools, Walmart securing two new patents for algorithmic pricing, and OpenAI planning a desktop superapp. 

On today’s MadTech Daily we discuss the UK government U-turning on their AI copyright plans, IAB Australia launching a measurement initiative, and Britannica suing OpenAI over AI training.

In this special episode of The MadTech Podcast, ExchangeWire COO Lindsay Rowntree is joined by Rob McLaughlin, founder & CEO of AUDIENCES, and Sandy Ghuman, senior product manager for customer data & transformation at easyJet.They look at the challenges of activating first party data, from complexities to cultural silos, and how brands can turn their data into meaningful signals.0:00 Introduction1:32 Challenges of data activation19:54 Data collection & channel selection30:57 Connecting different specialists40:34 The next 3 years

Today’s MadTech Daily covers Publicis advising clients to avoid The Trade Desk, Meta missing illegal financial ads in Britain, and Alibaba forming a new AI business group.

In today’s MadTech Daily we cover whistleblowers saying Meta and TikTok amplify harmful content in order to keep users’ attention, Amazon rolling out one-hour delivery in US cities, and the UK government launching a local media support initiative.

Today’s MadTech Daily covers OpenAI testing an Ads Manager and preparing its Agentic Storefronts feature, Meta being expelled from IAB Sweden while it plans major staff layoffs, and TikTok investors facing a huge bill from the Trump Administration. 

Today's MadTech Daily covers the latest surrounding ads on Gemini, an AI acquisition by Publicis, and the closing arguments in the first ever social media addiction jury trial.

At what figure did Axel Springer acquire the Telegraph? What percentage of ads served on ChatGPT were retail and grocery related? How many children are taking part in the UK's trial for a potential social media ban?In this quiz edition of The MadTech Podcast, ExchangeWire editor Aimee Newell Tarín is joined by COO Lindsay Rowntree and John Still, head of content. They look into M&A in publishing, advertising in AI, and social media restrictions for under-16s.0:00 Introduction1:06 Axel Springer acquires the Telegraph11:31 ChatGPT's ads trial28:29 UK trials social media restrictions

Today's MadTech Daily covers Ofcom taking action against social media platforms for their failure to protect children under the age of 13, research demonstrating that the public opposes ads on the BBC, and Meta's acquisition of Moltbook, a social network designed for AI agents. 

Today’s MadTech Daily covers Meta hiking ad fees in some European regions, a ruling from a California judge regarding AI agents, and a new Playbook launched by the IPA to help agencies with their pricing models.