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This issue dives into how AI is democratizing creative production in ways that will reshape who controls influence—and how attention gets monetized.

The AI Ad that opened the door

During the 2025 NBA Finals, viewers were hit with something surreal: a patriotic grandpa, a pool full of eggs, an alien at a kegger, and a pink tracksuit Zamboni driver—zipping across screens in a bizarre, unforgettable ad.

The twist? It was created entirely using generative AI, cost only $2,000, and was produced in just 48 hours. The company behind the campaign, Kalshi, didn’t just save on production. They triggered a new viral formula: audiences shared it because it was made with AI—not despite it.

The New Rules of AI & Attention

1. Production Stories > Production Values

   The ad didn’t need cinematic polish. It leaned into its synthetic origins. The story of how it was made was part of the spectacle. In a world of deepfakes and perfection, authentic weirdness wins.

2. Novelty > Polish
   The new attention economy rewards what’s new, not what’s nice. Expect more shock, surrealism, and short-form chaos.

3. Speed > Scale
   Kalshi moved from concept to national ad in 48 hours. AI tools like Veo, Sora, and Runway mean speed now trumps size. The faster you can go from idea to output, the more likely you’ll ride the cultural moment.

4. The Meta Is the Message
   What audiences shared wasn’t the ad—it was the concept of the ad: “Wait, this whole thing was made with AI?” The production process becomes the content. And the narrative around your story matters just as much as the story itself.

5. Cheap Content = High Experimentation
   At $2K a pop, you can try weird stuff. That’s a strategic advantage. Lower costs mean less fear, more tries, and more viral flukes that don’t feel like flukes.

6. Native Tools Change the Game
   Kalshi’s team didn’t retrofit old tools. They built with AI from the start. Just like TikTok-native content looks and feels different from YouTube, AI-native content has its vibe—and its edge.

7. Early Adopters Win
   PJ Accetturo (Kalshi’s director) and creators like him aren’t just creative—they’re building future templates. While others wait for case studies, they become them.

My Disruptive Take

Kalshi’s ad isn’t just a gimmick. It’s a case study in how fast the attention economy is evolving.

Small teams. Fast tools. Weird content. Viral results.

The lesson? The biggest spenders won’t win the next era of influence. It will be won by those who understand the new playbook—where production speed, process transparency, and calculated weirdness win the algorithm.

The cultural distribution model is shifting. Either adapt—or compete with tools built for an old world.

MidwestCon

Learn to Master Artistic Intelligence at MidwestCon

Do you want to learn how to create a viral video like Kalshi’s?

Are you ready to harness AI tools like Veo 3, Runway, or Sora to unlock the next wave of visual storytelling and cultural reach?

Then join us this fall at MidwestCon, where we’re diving into the future of artistic intelligence—the intersection of creativity, code, and cultural influence.

Get hands-on training in AI video and content tools

Learn from top creative technologists and media disruptors

Discover how to turn weird ideas into viral impact

This isn’t theory. It’s applied disruption. These tickets only apply to the learning pass. Get your learning pass at MidwestCon. 

Podcast

Disruption Now Podcast

In this episode of the Disruption Now Podcast, host Rob Richardson sits down with Jacob D. Frankel (Kobi), the visionary Founder and CEO of Beyond Alpha Ventures. Jacob shares his journey from managing over $355 million in assets on Wall Street to leading a multi-strategy family office and hedge fund that invests in transformative technologies like AI, quantum computing, and cybersecurity. He discusses the importance of investing with purpose, the future of venture capital, and how Beyond Alpha Ventures is shaping the infrastructure of an AI-driven future. Tune in for an insightful conversation on strategic investing, innovation, and building a legacy.

Keep Disrupting,

Rob, CEO of Disruption Now & Chief Curator of MidwestCon