When AI Makes Things Up + How Leaders Are Evolving

AI can help marketers move faster—but it can also confidently make things up. In this episode of MarketingEDGE, we break down how to avoid AI hallucinations in research and reporting, and share practical guardrails for keeping content accurate and credible. We also explore how AI is reshaping leadership across business functions, including marketing, with the rise of the “Super Manager”—a new kind of leader focused on orchestration, systems thinking, and decision-making at AI speed.
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Jan. 21, 2026
2 min read
When AI Makes Things Up + How Leaders Are Evolving

In this episode of MarketingEDGE, we explore two timely realities for modern marketing teams: AI can help you move faster—but it can also confidently make things up, and AI is reshaping how leaders work across every business function, including marketing.

First, we share practical guardrails for avoiding AI hallucinations when using AI for research and trend reporting. Then, we highlight an ExecutiveEDGE article explaining how AI is triggering a new leadership archetype: the Super Manager.

Ask the AI Help Desk: Fact-Check Follies

AI can be a powerful assistant for summarizing reports, spotting patterns, and speeding up early-stage research—but it is not a fact-checker. This article breaks down why AI hallucinations happen and how they create risk when marketers use AI for statistics, citations, and trend data.
The piece offers realistic guardrails to help marketing teams maintain credibility and avoid embarrassing corrections caused by invented charts, broken links, or mismatched data.


The Rise of the Super Manager: Redefining Leadership in the AI Era

In the second read, we feature an ExecutiveEDGE article exploring how AI is reshaping executive leadership—not just productivity. In a conversation with AI expert and futurist Lucas Root, PhD, the article outlines why the traditional leadership model (strategy at the top, execution below) is breaking down in a world of real-time AI analysis.

A new role is emerging: the Super Manager—a leader who acts more as a systems architect than a decision-maker in chief.

The article highlights a core shift: leaders won’t win by knowing more—they’ll win by thinking better and designing better systems.

Why It Matters
Together, these reads offer a clear message for marketers in 2026: speed without credibility is a liability.
AI can accelerate research, content, and strategy—but only if teams build verification workflows and cultural discipline around accuracy. And as AI becomes embedded across operations, marketing leaders will increasingly be expected to operate as systems thinkers who can guide humans + AI toward better decisions.

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About the Author

Alexis Gajewski

Alexis Gajewski

Contributor

Alexis Gajewski is the Associate Director of Newsroom Operations and Development at EndeavorB2B, bringing 18 years of experience in B2B media and publishing. A digital-first editorial leader, she sets the vision and direction for content strategies that maximize reach, engagement, and visibility across EndeavorB2B’s portfolio of brands. Alexis oversees editorial planning, workflow management, and team development, ensuring that all content aligns with both audience needs and business objectives. With deep expertise in SEO, AI, and analytics, she drives data-informed editorial decisions that strengthen storytelling, boost organic growth, and uphold the highest standards of quality and integrity. 

As a strategist and mentor, Alexis works across the editorial department to foster a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous learning. She develops company-wide editorial standards, training programs, and performance frameworks designed to elevate content quality and operational efficiency. Her passion for innovation keeps teams at the forefront of media transformation—whether implementing AI-driven tools, refining workflows, or exploring new content formats. Through her leadership, Alexis empowers editors, reporters, and content strategists at EndeavorB2B to adapt, grow, and deliver impactful, audience-focused journalism in a fast-evolving digital landscape. 

Jess Mand

Jess Mand

Contributor

Jess Mand is an award-winning communications strategist and founder of INDEMAND Communications, where she helps organizations translate complex ideas into clear, compelling narratives that drive connection and action. She partners with Fortune 500 companies, growth-stage firms, and mission-driven organizations to design communication strategies, content programs, and experiential campaigns that engage employees and elevate leadership messages. Known for her creative storytelling and pragmatic approach, Jess brings a rare blend of strategic insight and human-centered perspective to every project she leads.

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