Magic Mile Media's Social Media Summit 2025 (SMS2025), held on Friday, January 31, 2025, in Kinston, was a significant success, with a sold-out attendance of business owners, students, educators, marketers, HR managers, and operations professionals. The summit, centered around the theme “AI + Social: Innovate | Automate | Dominate,” addressed the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into social media marketing.

The event was a collaborative effort by Magic Mile Media, Lenoir Community College’s Small Business Center, and Visit Kinston. A key component of the summit was the insights shared by a range of experts on the transformative effects of AI.

Jason Michael Perry, a fractional Chief AI Officer, emphasized the critical need for businesses to embrace AI. According to Perry, "If you’re not taking advantage of AI today, your competitors are—and they will win". He also pointed out that "We're in the AOL days of AI—it’s just getting started," suggesting that AI technology is still in its early stages of development.

Transitioning to a different perspective, Scott Kelly, the founder of Startup High and an entrepreneurship leader at Campbell University, presented AI as a tool for empowerment. Kelly stated, "AI is a jetpack. It won’t replace you—it will amplify you". He encouraged attendees to experiment with AI tools, noting, "Every company is now a technology company—you just don’t realize it yet".

Paige Lord, an AI ethicist and founder of Justice AI Media, brought attention to the ethical considerations surrounding AI. Lord cautioned, "You can’t embrace the light of AI without recognizing its shadow". She further emphasized, "AI isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about responsibility," advocating for ethical AI implementation in business practices.

Shifting the focus to content creation, Austin Armstrong, CEO of AI startup Syllaby, offered insights into AI-powered strategies. Armstrong remarked, "If you hate creating content but love the rewards, AI can automate the whole process".

Dr. Lane Freeman, Director of Online Learning for the NC Community College System, discussed AI's role in education. According to Dr. Freeman, "AI isn’t replacing educators—it’s a tool to enhance learning, not eliminate thinking". He also warned, "Someone using AI will replace someone who refuses to adopt it," highlighting the importance of embracing AI in educational settings.

During a panel discussion, Dr. Christine Kowalczyk stated, "AI isn’t here to replace creativity—it’s here to enhance it," emphasizing that AI should serve as a tool to augment human creativity, not replace it. Adding to the discussion, Austin Carroll observed that, "AI literacy is the new digital literacy—learn it or get left behind," stressing the importance of understanding and utilizing AI in the modern world.

The summit included discussions on various topics, including automating processes, improving customer service, personalizing marketing, and producing AI-driven content. Attendees explored AI's influence on education, the shifting function of social media in branding, and the ethical considerations of AI-driven decision-making.

Magic Mile Media President BJ Murphy stated, “Our number goal is for every attendee to walk away from the summit itching to get to work that following Monday morning with more opportunities for growth than ever before,” emphasizing the event's objective to inspire and equip attendees with the knowledge to leverage AI for future growth.

Ultimately, SMS2025 delivered practical tools and approaches for businesses and marketers to maintain a competitive edge in the digital landscape. The summit also provided networking opportunities to further empower attendees.

To get more details on the summit, be sure to follow Magic Mile Media on Facebook and Instagram.