Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming an integral part of digital advertising, driving substantial changes across industries, from semiconductor development to cloud computing and beyond. With AI-powered tools, advertisers are now targeting audiences with a level of precision that helps reduce costs and maximize returns on ad spending. One company at the forefront of this movement is The Trade Desk, which has experienced remarkable growth in 2024 due to its cutting-edge use of AI in digital advertising.

According to Grand View Research, spending on AI in digital marketing is expected to jump from $15.8 billion in 2023 to $82 billion by 2030. This impressive growth highlights the increasing demand for advanced advertising technologies—and it’s part of the reason why The Trade Desk's stock price has surged by an impressive 69% this year.

The Trade Desk’s AI-Driven Platform: Kokai

The Trade Desk has long incorporated AI into its ad solutions, but the company took a major step forward last year with the launch of Kokai, a next-generation AI-powered platform designed to optimize digital advertising campaigns. Kokai’s technology enables advertisers to target audiences with unprecedented accuracy, reducing the cost per click by an average of 36% and the cost per action by 34%.

Leveraging AI algorithms, Kokai processes more than 15 million ad impressions every second, allowing it to identify the most effective ad placements for reaching specific audiences. This high-tech targeting enables brands to run more impactful ad campaigns while keeping costs in check. And for brands that transitioned to Kokai from The Trade Desk’s earlier Solimar platform, the results speak volumes—customers reported a 70% increase in audience reach.

Significant Financial Growth and Market Potential

The impact of Kokai on The Trade Desk's performance in 2024 has been remarkable. In the first half of the year, the company reported a 27% year-over-year revenue increase, bringing in $1.08 billion. Earnings also rose 29% in that period, climbing to $0.66 per share. The Trade Desk expects to see continued strong growth, with projections of $618 million in revenue for the third quarter, a 25% increase over last year.

Despite this impressive growth, The Trade Desk is still tapping into just a fraction of its potential. The company estimates its total addressable market to be around $1 trillion, meaning there’s a massive opportunity for further expansion. Additionally, The Trade Desk has an impressive customer retention rate of over 95%, which demonstrates the high level of satisfaction and loyalty its platform generates.

Why Investors Are Paying Attention

Analysts project that The Trade Desk will end 2024 with earnings of $1.61 per share, a 28% rise compared to 2023. While earnings growth might moderate slightly in 2025, analysts anticipate a resurgence by 2026. Given The Trade Desk’s significant market potential and its commitment to innovation, the company remains an attractive option for growth-focused investors.

As AI continues to shape the future of advertising, The Trade Desk is positioned as a leader in the field, with a robust platform that offers measurable benefits to brands and advertisers alike. The successful integration of AI within its technology stack could ensure its sustained growth, making The Trade Desk a company to watch in the years ahead.

Final Thoughts

While no investment is without risk, The Trade Desk’s performance in 2024 and its innovative use of AI for digital advertising suggest it could continue to thrive. As AI-driven technology advances and demand for data-driven advertising grows, The Trade Desk has the potential to capitalize on the vast digital marketing landscape and maintain its competitive edge.