Lessons from Mia Umanos on How AI is Changing the Way We Think, Buy, and Lead
If you’ve ever had to explain ChatGPT to your kid or justify why your Shopify cart abandoned you like a bad Tinder date, this episode is for you.
I sat down with Mia Umanos, CEO of Clickvoyant and host of AI Kid You Not, for one of the most insightful and relatable conversations we’ve had on The Human-First AI Marketing® Podcast. She’s not just leading in AI e-commerce; she’s parenting in it. And those two roles have more in common than you think.
What came out of our conversation wasn’t just cute stories about her daughter acing history with GPT help. It was a clear message to marketers: AI isn’t just a tool; it’s reshaping decision-making at every level, from homework to household purchases to high-stakes business calls.
Here are a few things we think every SMB owner and marketing leader should know:
1. AI Is Already Changing How the Next Generation Thinks
Mia’s daughter went from failing history to acing it with the help of ChatGPT. But the real insight here isn’t about cheating or shortcuts; it’s about access.
“Kids don’t just have access to knowledge now; they have access to skills,” Mia said.
This is critical for business leaders to understand. AI isn’t just about speeding up processes. It’s changing how people learn, problem-solve, and make decisions. Which brings us to…
2. If You’re Not Testing, You’re Guessing
Mia’s company, Clickvoyant, works with e-commerce brands to analyze real shopper behavior using AI. You’d think in 2025 every brand is testing and optimizing their buyer journey. They’re not.
“Less than 1% of e-commerce brands are scientifically testing shopper experiences,” she shared.
Let that sink in. This is like running a restaurant without tasting your own food. If you’re not actively testing how people interact with your content, store, or brand—you’re flying blind.
For SMBs, especially in DTC or B2B ecomm: this is a wake-up call. You don’t need another AI tool. You need to use the one you already have. Start small. Start somewhere.
3. AI Agents Are the New Search Bar
If your go-to marketing model is:
“Run paid ads → Send to website → Hope they click around”
you may be in trouble.
AI agents are being trained to research, compare, and buy—on behalf of consumers. That means fewer people may ever see your website in the first place. They’ll ask an AI to “find the best eco-friendly roofing solution” and get a one-click recommendation.
Your job as a marketer isn’t just to be found; it’s to be favored by the machines and the humans.
4. AI Will Make You Smarter—or It’ll Make You Lazy
We talked about something wild: just having a phone in the room lowers your IQ performance on tests. Why? Because your brain starts outsourcing effort—even when you’re not using it.
The same can (and will) happen with AI.
“People will outsource their thinking,” Mia said.
“And it’s our job to protect and preserve the skills that matter most: critical thinking, creativity, writing, and research.”
Sound familiar? That’s the Avenue9 POV in action. AI should amplify your voice—not replace your mind. That’s why we created the A9^Factor framework. You need systems that scale trust, not just scale output.
5. You’re Not Behind—But You Can’t Stay Here
Whether you’re a marketing manager who’s tired of prompt fatigue or a founder who’s sick of “AI slop” flooding your feed, this episode is a breath of fresh air.
Mia reminded us that we’re still early in this shift—but we’re not in warm-up mode anymore. The decisions you make about AI this year will impact how your business operates, how your team performs, and how your customers find you going forward.
Final Thought
If you’re leading a small or mid-sized business, here’s your to-do list:
✅ Don’t panic about AI. Learn to parent it—like Mia.
✅ Start testing your buyer journey. Stop guessing.
✅ Watch what Gen Alpha is doing. They’re your future customers and employees.
✅ Use AI as a thought partner, not a crutch.
✅ Build a system that reflects your brand, not someone else’s templates.
