Marketing has never been more complex.

From campaign strategy and brand storytelling to SEO, paid media, data tracking, content operations and funnel experimentation, the modern marketing function is no longer just a creative department. It is a commercially driven, technology-enabled growth engine. Yet the path to senior marketing leadership is still largely shaped by generalist experience rather than operational expertise.

So what does that mean for growing businesses trying to make sense of it all?

The AI revolution is no longer on the horizon. It is already here, and it is evolving rapidly. By looking at the progression of AI from 2005 to 2025 and projecting forward to 2030 and 2040, we gain valuable perspective. Here are some critical questions and answers to help sales and marketing leaders evaluate their current position and plan for what is coming.