AI, Marketing, and the Entrepreneurial Path
The future of AI in marketing, and why students should start building their own path now.
We're touring universities across the Greater Toronto Area to speak with students about the future of AI, entrepreneurship and digital marketing.
For York University student entrepreneurs
A guest session for Schulich students on how AI is reshaping marketing, and how entrepreneurship, personal branding, and the agency model give them an edge whether they start a business or not.
A shifting landscape
AI is changing what marketing work looks like, and students who learn to use it early get a real head start. They're also graduating alongside a large pool of peers with the same degree, grades, and similar resumes.
Standing out
Applying and waiting isn't the only option anymore. We show a practical alternative: build real-world results and a personal brand while still in school, so students have leverage whether they choose a job or their own business.
The AI era
AI now handles many tasks marketers used to spend hours on. What sets you apart is experience AI doesn't have, a point of view you can back up, soft skills that build trust, and using AI better than anyone in the room.
Why students have the edge
The younger generation picks up new tools faster and stays closer to the latest technology. Many business owners don't understand tech and marketing at a deep level, which is exactly the gap students can fill, as employees or as service providers.
Two speakers, one playbook
Hamza: AI and the personal brand
- How AI is changing marketing work, and which skills are becoming more valuable because of it
- How AI automation is changing what businesses actually pay for
- Why a personal brand is the easiest way to stand out when you're competing with thousands of students
- How he grew to 200,000 followers and what that did for him
Shaun: the agency model
- Why entrepreneurship is the best path forward, even for students who plan to get a job
- How to land your first 10 clients to generate a full-time income.
- What marketing skills to focus on to attract high-paying jobs or clients.
- How Shaun scaled an accounting firm client to 7-figures per year.
Two paths, one playbook
Entrepreneurship isn't for everyone. If it's not your route, build credibility through a personal brand and free work that creates real results, then use that proof to land clients or get hired at an agency or in-house.
AI marketing skills worth learning now
- Paid media: Google, Meta, YouTube and LinkedIn Ads
- The future of search with AEO and SEO
- AI automation and prompt engineering
Soft skills are the new differentiator
If AI automates the technical work that used to set people apart, what's left is personality: authenticity, your own opinions, how well you leverage AI, and your point of view.
Meet the speakers
Hamza Baig
Runs a large AI automation agency and has built a personal brand of 200,000 followers.
Proof of what AI and a strong personal brand can build, and how AI is changing the work itself.
Shaun Kaushal
Runs client acquisition at Shorecrest Digital, a lead generation agency for accounting and tax firms.
The agency business model, and how he uses Facebook Ads to drive clients more business.