While everyone's talking about AI, very few are actually making it work. Marie Haynes, renowned SEO expert and AI experimentalist, is one of the rare practitioners who's gone beyond the hype—building 50+ custom AI tools (gems), testing workflows daily, and learning what actually ships versus what crashes and burns.
In this candid conversation, Marie shares the unglamorous reality of AI implementation: the deleted emails, the abandoned projects, the hours of frustration—and why pushing through that wall is the only way to gain an unfair advantage.
Key takeaways for marketing leaders:
- The 5% rule: Why most AI projects fail and what separates the builders who succeed from those who give up after the first failure
- User signals over algorithm optimization: Why understanding vector search can actually hurt your SEO if you're not paying attention to engagement metrics
- The code-without-coding revolution: How Marie went from zero programming knowledge to building custom tools in weeks (and why every marketer should learn to "vibe code")
- Agents vs. gems: What's actually ready for production right now versus what's still 6-12 months away from being reliable
Marie also addresses the elephant in the room: Is the AI bubble real? With Gartner predicting 40% of current AI projects will be canceled by 2027, she shares why she's betting her investment portfolio entirely on AI companies—and what signals she's watching from industry leaders like Zuckerberg and Musk.
If you're exhausted by AI hype but still believe there's something real underneath, this episode cuts through the noise with hard-earned lessons from someone actually building in the trenches.
Resources:
Learn about Marie’s work and join her community at https://www.mariehaynes.com/
Google’s Python Class: https://developers.google.com/edu/python
Google’s Agent Development Kit: https://google.github.io/adk-docs/
Connect with Marie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-haynes
Connect with Paxton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paxtongray/
Looking for an agency that'll be worth the investment? 97th Floor creates custom, audience-first campaigns that drive pipeline and conversions. Get started here: https://97thfloor.com/lets-talk/.
About Marie Haynes:
Marie Haynes is a leading expert in AI and Search. She helps her clients prepare for agentic search, surfacing more often in LLM tools like ChatGPT and using AI in their workflows.
Timestamps:
01:26 - Working on AI agents and Google's development course
04:34 - AI overviews change every 2 days
06:10 - Industry missing user interaction signals
41:11 - AI creating work-free future
43:51 - Tips: Use LLMs daily, learn to code
Popular Podcasts
Hey Jonas!
Hey Jonas! The official Jonas Brothers podcast. Hosted by Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas. It’s the Jonas Brothers you know... musicians, actors, and well, yes, brothers. Now, they’re sharing another side of themselves in the playful, intimate, and irreverent way only they can. Spend time with the Jonas Brothers here and stay a little bit longer for deep conversations like never before.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.
Betrayal Weekly
Betrayal Weekly is back for a new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. If you would like to share your story, you can reach out to the Betrayal Team by emailing them at betrayalpod@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram at @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.