Does AI personalization guarantee better engagement?

AI personalization improves results on average but doesn't guarantee success for every implementation. Like any tool, effectiveness depends on data quality, implementation sophistication, and whether personalization addresses actual recipient needs.

When AI personalization works: sufficient behavioral data exists, personalization reflects genuine relevance (not just inserting names), and recommendations align with actual interests. Good personalization makes messages more useful, not just more targeted.

When it fails: sparse data produces poor predictions, over-personalization feels creepy, recommendations miss the mark, or generic AI outputs replace human insight. Test personalized versus non-personalized versions to verify actual lift rather than assuming AI automatically improves engagement.