Former Aetna CMO David Edelman to speak on AI at SBC Summit Americas 2026

SBC Summit Americas will feature marketing strategist and artificial intelligence expert David Edelman as a keynote speaker at its 2026 conference.

Edelman, former chief marketing officer of Aetna and a faculty member at Harvard Business School, will deliver a session titled Unlocking AI to Drive Growth on June 11 (10:40–11:00) as part of the event’s Leaders track.

The keynote will focus on how gaming companies can use artificial intelligence beyond operational functions to improve customer engagement, personalisation and commercial performance.

Edelman is known for developing concepts including the 'Customer Decision Journey' and 'Segment-of-One Marketing', and has advised Fortune 500 companies on marketing, customer engagement and AI strategy.

Over more than four decades, Edelman has built a profile across marketing and technology, earning recognition from Forbes as one of the “Most Influential CMOs in the World” on multiple occasions and a place in Adweek’s 'AI Trailblazers Power 100' in 2025. He also has more than 1.1 million followers on LinkedIn.

Rasmus Sojmark, chief executive and founder of SBC, said Edelman’s experience connecting AI with marketing strategy aligned with industry demand for practical insights on the technology.

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

During the session, Edelman is expected to discuss how brands can reshape digital and physical customer journeys using automation and personalisation while balancing consumer trust and responsible engagement.

“There’s a misconception that AI can simply be layered onto existing marketing strategies, when in reality it requires a fundamental rethink. In this session, I'll look at how businesses can adapt their approach and use AI to deliver more relevant, personalised customer experiences,” Edelman said.

Edelman began his career at Boston Consulting Group in 1986 before later joining Digitas. In 2008, he moved to McKinsey & Company, where he led the consultancy’s global digital marketing practice.

During this time, he introduced the 'Customer Decision Journey' concept in a Harvard Business Review cover story focused on consumer purchasing behaviour and loyalty.

He joined Aetna in 2016 as its first chief marketing officer and later worked on digital transformation initiatives and customer experience strategy during the insurer’s merger with CVS Health.

Since leaving Aetna in 2020, Edelman has focused on advisory work through Edelman Advisory Services, continuing to advise executives on the use of AI in marketing and customer engagement.

Edelman also co-authored Personalized: Customer Strategy in the Age of AI, a USA Today bestselling book examining how businesses use AI and data to tailor customer experiences.

SBC Summit Americas 2026 will feature 250 speakers across six conference stages covering topics including sports betting, casino gaming, payments, regulation, technology and player protection.

Readers interested in attending SBC Summit Americas 2026 can register using promo code YOGOPARTNERVIP through this link.