What's Next in Paid Search? Navigating Privacy and the AI Shift

Search has shifted faster in the last three years than in the decade before it. 

Advertisers across the US have been trying to play catch-up. But without a clear playbook or direction, most paid search campaigns fall short of capturing high-intent demand.

The question every advertiser is now asking: what's next, and how do I get ahead of it? 

That's what this session with SitePlug's Bharat Sharma and HP's Morgan Chemij sets out to answer.

Why Attend?

The session will spotlight some of the biggest developments defining the immediate future of search. 

•The fragmentation of the search landscape — where high-intent users are now, why advertisers must move beyond traditional search, and the challenges that come with it.

•Privacy-first users and environments — who these users are, why privacy drives their behaviour, how fast this base is growing, and the platforms they're searching on instead.  

•The AI and agentic shift — how AI interfaces are becoming active decision-making surfaces, and how agentic browsing reshapes the path to purchase as machines begin searching on the user's behalf.

•The way forward — which surfaces are worth tapping now, how to seize the opportunity, and how to future-proof a paid search strategy.

Speakers:

Bharat Sharma COO – Affinity (SitePlug, VEVE, mCanvas)

Morgan Chemij – Sr. Director: Global Marketplace Strategy & Media Execution, HP

Bharat Sharma is passionately leading the transformation of commerce media and shaping the next era of digital discovery, helping brands reach consumers at moments of highest intent — from search and content to AI-powered experiences and connected ecosystems. With over 17 yrs of experience in media, he has built and scaled advertising and search technologies across global markets. As Co-Founder of SitePlug and VEVE, and COO of mCanvas,, he has pioneered solutions that extend search beyond traditional engines into browsers, OEM ecosystems, mobile experiences, and AI-powered environments. His work has helped global brands and publishers generate billions in incremental revenue while navigating the changing dynamics of consumer behavior