New Research Agent delivers cited, verifiable answers in seconds, with a direct path to 4As experts when members need to go deeper
NEW YORK, NY, August 25, 2026 — The 4As today announced the launch of 4As Intelligence, a proprietary AI-powered platform giving member agencies instant, self-serve access to credible insights, research and expertise built over more than a century. Its first capability, the Research Agent, lets members ask questions and receive in-depth research analysis: complete and fully sourced answers with citations linking directly to the source material.
Unlike generic AI search, every search within the 4As Intelligence environment ties its claims back to a specific document or dataset either produced by the 4As or from a credible partner or industry source, so members can verify it, dig deeper or cite the material directly in their own work. Should you need more insight, the platform routes members to the right 4As expert, pairing AI-driven speed and efficiency with personalized human expertise.
“Our members have always had the 4As expertise to draw upon. What they need today is faster access to that deep expertise 24/7,” said Justin Thomas-Copeland, CEO of the 4As. “4As Intelligence puts decades of industry insights, research and survey data at your fingertips, with the sourcing to back it up and our team standing by to deliver personalized expertise when needed. It will serve our members at their speed. We are excited to serve this new level of value to our members”
Built for how agencies actually work
In the agency world, the questions that come up, whether prepping for a pitch or briefing a junior teammate, don’t wait for business hours. 4As Intelligence is an always-on, self-serve front door to 4As expertise, available to every member, anytime.
Key capabilities include:
Research Analysis, not summaries. Members ask questions in plain language and get full, sourced answers.
A non-negotiable citation layer. Every claim links to its underlying document or dataset, so members can verify and dig deeper on their own.
A direct path to human experts. Built-in escalation connects members to the right person on the 4As team when a question needs deeper guidance. Available currently with the Research team, expanding to other areas soon.
A foundation for what’s next. Research is the platform’s first capability. More are planned, each built around a real agency need.
“This is exactly the type of innovation I love seeing out of the 4As: curated, useful, directly taking something off my to-build list and I can already see it growing into something even more useful,” said Mitch Hislop, broadhead. VP, AI and Technological Innovation.
A platform built to grow
4As Intelligence reflects a broader shift in how the 4As serves its members, from a traditional trade association toward an always-on service platform. The same technology making 4As content more accessible to members also helps 4As staff surface the right resources and build stronger connections across our membership.
4As Intelligence is live now for all 4As members, with member feedback driving ongoing improvements to the tool. To get started, members can log in at 4As.org/resources/4as-intelligenceand start asking.
