Proving Intelligence in AI Messaging

Since mid-2023, cybersecurity vendors have leaned heavily into “powered by AI” messaging. Some have even rebranded entirely around AI, including adopting “.ai” in their product or company names. While the AI buzzword can spark initial interest, overreliance on it—without substantiating the promise—risks undermining buyer trust.

Today’s buyers aren’t just looking for any intelligence; they want proof—whether artificial or organic.

So, as you craft your go-to-market messaging, ask yourself: How can we demonstrate intelligence instead of just claiming it?

Here’s a better approach: minimize use of “AI” as your top-line hook, and focus instead on specific, tangible outcomes. Here’s why—and how.

1. Focus on human activities

Buyers are looking for messaging that solves real problems. Lead with outcomes like:

• Reduced risk exposure
• Faster, more accurate completion of repetitive tasks
• Less manual effort in threat detection or alert triage

These are the kinds of results that resonate immediately.

2. Share relatable value

Your customers read vague AI claims all day. LinkedIn is filled with generic walls of texts that often can be said in a sentence. Don’t contribute to the fluff. Instead:

• Use your sub-copy to explain how machine learning powers these outcomes.
• Be specific: “Our AI-driven engine reduces false positives by 30% by analyzing behavioral patterns in real time.”

Specificity builds credibility. Vague marketing erodes it.

3. Hype the data quality 

Buyers want transparency. They’re asking:

• Where does this intelligence come from?
• Is the data proprietary, anonymized from customers, or drawn from industry benchmarks?

Explain the source and reliability of your AI’s data. This transparency reassures buyers that your intelligence isn’t just algorithmic window dressing—it’s built on meaningful, high-quality inputs.

So what does good powered-by AI messaging look like?

The following is a screenshot from 7ai.com:7ai is an agentic security platform that deploys swarms of autonomous AI agents to take on repetitive cybersecurity tasks.

Notice the specific outcome based messaging in each of the three sections to the right of the image. There’s a clear focus on how AI improves the day to day life of the user.

Here are key phrases 7ai uses to show proof of intelligence:

• “making independent decisions….without waiting for human input”
• “take appropriate actions…without disrupting established workflows”
• “offloads non-human work to AI agents…allowing your security team to focus on strategic initiatives”

Final thoughts

Test, measure, and refine your AI messaging approach. Instead of plastering “AI” across every headline like a bumper sticker, start small:

• Highlight AI-driven features in targeted campaigns, focusing on how AI is solving a human problem
• Measure real performance impact across channels using brand metrics
• Refine your messaging based on customer response

In 2025, it’s not enough to say you’re “powered by AI.” You need to prove your intelligence—through outcomes, clarity, and credibility.