TrafficGuard, a leading platform in AI-powered digital ad verification and invalid traffic (IVT) prevention, has appointed Scott Thomson as Head of AI. Thomson will oversee and accelerate the execution and embedment of AI into TrafficGuard’s platform and processes, building on more than eight years of machine learning innovation that has positioned the company at the forefront of ad fraud detection since its founding. He brings over a decade’s worth of experience in technology and AI innovation, having previously worked for Google, Adobe, and Telstra, as well as founding strategic consultancy firm SCRYPTID.
TrafficGuard was among the first ad verification platforms to deploy machine learning models for real-time invalid traffic detection, processing billions of data points to identify fraud patterns invisible to rules-based systems. That early investment in AI infrastructure now serves as the foundation for the company’s next generation of detection capabilities – engineered to combat an increasingly sophisticated threat landscape.
“We are delighted to welcome Scott in an executive capacity at a pivotal time for TrafficGuard. His deep expertise in AI spanning Google Cloud, generative AI strategy, and enterprise innovation is directly aligned with where we are taking this business,” said Mat Ratty, CEO of TrafficGuard. “Scott’s appointment accelerates our ability to execute our AI roadmap and deliver advanced fraud prevention to advertisers globally. We look forward to the contribution he will make as we enter our next phase of growth.”
Scott Thomson will support TrafficGuard’s
Scott Thomson, Head of AI, Traffic Guard said: “Having served as a non-executive director since early 2024 with TrafficGuard, I’m looking forward to adding my experience and guidance more directly to our already significant team. The AI arms race in ad fraud is real. Fraudsters are already deploying agentic bots and generative AI to evade detection at scale, and staying ahead requires deep AI expertise and a platform built for continuous evolution.
The appointment comes at a critical inflection point for the industry. The rapid proliferation of agentic AI – autonomous bots capable of browsing, clicking, filling out forms, and mimicking genuine user behaviour, is fundamentally reshaping the threat landscape for digital advertisers. Unlike traditional bot traffic, agentic bots operate with human-like intent patterns, making them significantly harder to detect using conventional verification methods. Industry analysts project that AI-generated invalid traffic will account for an increasingly material share of digital ad spend waste over the coming years, creating an urgent need for AI-native detection that can evolve at the same pace as the threats it defends against.
“TrafficGuard has a strong foundation in machine learning-driven detection, and I’m here to accelerate what’s next,” said Thompson. “Expanding our AI-powered capabilities beyond fraud detection into intelligent optimisation tools that help advertisers not just protect their spend, but maximise its performance. We’re evolving the platform to cover new channels and deliver actionable insights that turn fraud data into a genuine competitive advantage. Tackling ad fraud has become increasingly essential for advertisers, and I can’t wait to be part of the talented team building the future of ad verification.”
This strategic appointment will further strengthen TrafficGuard’s