Digital
Leveraging AI in digital advertising: Targeting consumers through sentiment analysis
AI has revolutionised the ways in which brands connect with their target audiences through targeting precision and hyper-personalisation. AI has also found applicability in ‘sentiment analysis’ which helps brands comprehend the emotions, opinions and attitudes of consumers by analysing their past online behaviour and interactions.
Dubbed ‘opinion mining’, sentiment analysis incorporates NLP (natural language processing) and machine learning algorithms to churn and analyse huge chunks of text data and determine whether the underlying sentiment is positive, negative or neutral. The data utilised to gauge public sentiments about a brand’s products or services are derived from social media posts, reviews, blogs, and other user-generated content.
AI-powered models backed by deep learning, have the ability to understand the nuances of language including sarcasm, context, and complex expressions thereby offering an accurate picture of consumer sentiment. The correct and real-time interpretation of these subtleties helps brands make more informed marketing strategies.
Harnessing AI-based sentiment analysis
In this user-centric world, customer feedback is crucial to understand what resonates with the target audience and what needs to be improved. Technological advancements like big data have enabled organisations to get an accurate understanding of customer opinions, seamlessly. Monitoring and understanding brand perception will help organisations fine-tune their strategies to align with market trends and consumer preferences.
1. Real-time customer insights – Sentiment analysis helps brands delve deep into the opinions and emotions of their customers by actively monitoring social media platforms, review sites and online channels. This helps businesses craft communication strategies that resonate best with consumers.
2. Personalised marketing campaigns – Personalised advertising based on the emotional state of the consumer can be helpful in improving customer experience. For example, ads offering solutions to a consumer who is frustrated about a product or service can improve brand perception.
3. Product analysis and development – AI-based sentiment analysis is very helpful in the early stages of developing a new product as it provides valuable insights into people’s opinions about its performance, features, user experience, etc. This enables brands to make data-driven improvements and foster innovation that aligns with consumer needs and preferences.
4. Reputation management – Real-time sentiment analysis helps businesses identify negative trends and potential PR crises in the early stages which facilitates timely intervention.
5. Higher ROI on Ad spend – Gauging consumer sentiments accurately helps marketers craft ads that are more relevant to the user. This improves engagement and reduces wasted ad spend.
What does the future look like?
With the evolution of AI, sentiment analysis will find greater applicability in the digital realm with more sophisticated emotion detection capabilities. Analysis of non-textual data such as images and videos may also be plausible with AI advancements which would help brands form deeper connections with their audiences.
The article has been authored by AdCounty Media co-founder and chief revenue officer Delphin Varghese.
Digital
Bill Gates pulls out of India AI summit keynote
Microsoft co-founder skips New Delhi address hours before slot amid Epstein scrutiny; foundation rep steps in.
MUMBAI: Bill Gates has logged off from his starring role at the India AI Impact Summit proving even tech titans can’t always hit ‘send’ on a speech when the spotlight gets too hot. Just hours before his 12-minute keynote at 11:50 am on 19 February at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, the Gates Foundation announced the Microsoft co-founder would not deliver his address. “After careful consideration, and to ensure the focus remains on the AI Summit’s key priorities, Mr Gates will not be delivering his keynote address,” the foundation stated. Stepping into the breach is Ankur Vora, president of the Africa and India offices who will speak today.
The last-minute switch comes amid swirling attention on Gates’ past associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following recent document releases that have reignited scrutiny. Gates has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, calling related claims false, but the timing has raised eyebrows especially after the foundation firmly quashed no-show rumours just two days earlier on 17 February, insisting he was fully on board.
Gates did make it to India, touching down earlier this week. His first port of call was Vijayawada on Monday, where he met Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, deputy chief minister K Pawan Kalyan, and senior officials. Ministers Nara Lokesh, Vangalapudi Anitha, K Archannaidu, and Y Satya Kumar greeted him at the international airport, kicking off discussions on Gates Foundation-backed projects in health and development.
Despite the headline drama, the foundation stressed its ongoing dedication: “The Gates Foundation remains fully committed to our work in India to advance our shared health and development goals.”
The summit packed with big names and billed as a major AI showcase for the Global South carries on without its marquee opener, leaving delegates to ponder whether this glitch in the matrix was strategic caution or something more. Either way, the AI conversation rolls forward, minus one very prominent voice.
pic.twitter.com/tGJtEQS97E— Gates Foundation India (@BMGFIndia) February 19, 2026
