The renowned AI and customer experience strategist will deliver an exclusive keynote on transforming customer engagement in the AI era

SBC Summit Americas 2026 will welcome David Edelman, a globally recognized marketing strategist, faculty member at Harvard Business School, and bestselling author, for an exclusive keynote focused on how artificial intelligence is transforming the way businesses understand, reach, and engage with customers.

Known for pioneering concepts such as Customer Decision Journey and Segment-of-One Marketing, as well as advising Fortune 500 companies, Edelman has become one of the leading voices at the intersection of marketing, technology, and AI.

The keynote will take place on Thursday, June 10, from 10:40 to 11:00 a.m. as part of the “Leaders” track under the title Unlocking AI to Drive Growth. During the session, Edelman will explore how gaming companies can move beyond using AI as a purely operational tool and instead leverage it as a driver of competitive advantage and sustainable growth.

AI, personalization, and trust at the center of future growth

During his presentation, David Edelman will explain how brands can transform both digital and physical customer journeys through personalization and automation at scale while balancing engagement, responsibility, and trust.

Drawing from global cross-industry examples, Edelman will also present a practical CEO-level framework for turning AI into a long-term growth engine within highly competitive industries such as gaming.

Rasmus Sojmark highlighted the importance of Edelman’s participation for the event audience:

“David brings a level of expertise that very few speakers can match, especially when it comes to connecting AI with real marketing strategies. This is exactly the kind of insight our audience is looking for right now.”

One of the leading voices in marketing and artificial intelligence

Over a career spanning more than four decades, David Edelman has built a strong reputation across marketing and technology. Forbes recognized him multiple times as one of the “World’s Most Influential CMOs,” while Adweek included him in its 2025 “AI Trailblazers Power 100” list.

Edelman began his career in 1986 at Boston Consulting Group, where he worked on customer data strategies and laid the foundation for the Segment-of-One Marketing concept focused on delivering personalized customer experiences at scale.

He later co-led BCG’s e-commerce practice before joining Digitas in 1999, where he specialized in CRM, analytics, and data-driven digital experiences.

In 2008, Edelman joined McKinsey & Company, where he created and led the company’s global digital marketing practice. During this period, he introduced the Customer Decision Journey concept in a landmark Harvard Business Review cover story, reshaping how businesses understand the customer path from brand awareness to loyalty.

Corporate leadership and digital transformation

In 2016, Edelman became the first Chief Marketing Officer of Aetna, leading a major digital and brand transformation. During his tenure, he modernized marketing capabilities, enhanced customer experience programs, and contributed to the company’s merger with CVS Health.

Since 2020, he has led Edelman Advisory Services, advising CEOs and CMOs on how to implement artificial intelligence more effectively within marketing strategies while maintaining trust, human connection, and relevance.

Alongside his consulting work, Edelman has continued shaping future business leaders as a faculty member at Harvard Business School. He is also co-author of the USA Today bestseller Personalized: Customer Strategy in the Age of AI, which explores how businesses can use AI and data to create more relevant customer experiences.

SBC Summit Americas to feature over 250 expert speakers

David Edelman’s participation is part of the extensive conference agenda at SBC Summit Americas 2026, which will feature more than 250 speakers across six conference stages.

Sessions will cover key topics including leadership, sports betting and casino, payments and technology, affiliation, regulation, and player protection within the event’s Knowledge Vault program, designed to provide actionable insights for industry professionals.

Operators and affiliates will be able to apply for complimentary VIP passes granting full access to conference sessions, exhibition areas, and premium networking opportunities, while other attendees can choose from multiple ticket options tailored to different budgets and objectives.