Zeta Global and Klaviyo lead $1.5B+ AI-driven trade growth surge

The industrialization of AI is moving from the infrastructure layer to the application layer. For streaming and digital media, this indicates a shift where AI is no longer just a feature but the core operating system for monetization and user retention. As physical trade in AI hardware cools in 2026, software providers like Zeta and Klaviyo are positioning themselves as the primary conduits for enterprise data automation across channels like connected TV. The immediate challenge for the ecosystem is navigating the 'SaaSpocalypse' threat — where cheap, ubiquitous AI agents could potentially bypass expensive per-seat software subscriptions. Watch for whether platform integrations with LLMs like Claude Fable 5 and OpenAI lead to tangible net revenue retention (NRR) gains.

The transition toward application-layer AI follows a period of hyper-growth for infrastructure. According to a DMCC report from June 2026, trade in AI hardware increased by more than 20% in the first half of 2025, significantly outstripping the 4% growth seen in non-AI goods. However, global merchandise export growth is forecast to slow to 1.9% in 2026, down from 4.6% in 2025. This macro slowdown is forcing a shift in investor focus toward companies that can prove productivity gains via software. Per Goldman Sachs analysis in June 2026, the second wave of the AI trade is moving toward sectors like enterprise software where proprietary data assets provide a competitive moat.

Zeta Global and Klaviyo have responded by deepening their integration with major model providers. Zeta recently announced a deal with OpenAI to integrate the Athena engine with larger models, while Klaviyo expanded its ecosystem to include ChatGPT and Claude integrations. This strategy aims to counter 'disintermediation' risks — the fear that independent AI agents might eventually bypass CRM platforms entirely. According to InvestingPro data from June 2026, despite recent volatility caused by the launch of Anthropic's Claude Mythos 5, Zeta Global has maintained a 66% return over the past year, while Klaviyo authorized a $500 million share buyback to signal confidence in its autonomous CRM strategy.

In the public safety sector, AI adoption is hardware-dependent but software-driven. Cellebrite’s achievement of FedRAMP High status in May 2026, authorized by the Department of Justice, allows the company to deploy its AI-powered 'Case Management' and 'Guardian' platforms for high-security federal missions. Per a Department of Homeland Security forecast from May 2026, the agency intends to award a five-year contract with a $100 million ceiling for digital forensics tools. This illustrates a trend where AI is becoming essential for managing the massive volume of digital evidence, including drone flight logs and video files, which are increasingly central to national security and border protection.