Talking Insights

Most organizations are missing out on invaluable human stories because they fear AI will strip away the soul of qualitative data. But what if the real breakthrough lies in how humans and AI collaborate? 

James Goh, CEO of the groundbreaking platform iLiz, reveals how responsible "human-in-the-loop" AI is reshaping global research — from UNICEF to UN evaluations — by empowering, not replacing, human insight.

In this eye-opening episode, James shares behind-the-scenes stories of applying AI to analyze thousands of open-ended responses across dozens of languages, uncovering hidden insights that traditional methods miss. 

You'll discover how AI can identify nuanced meaning and rich narratives, while humans ensure accuracy on ambiguous or sensitive topics. James breaks down proven frameworks for implementing AI responsibly, balancing automation with the critical human touch needed for trust and ethical integrity.

We explore key challenges like safeguarding sensitive data, building trust with vulnerable populations, and overcoming skepticism from research teams. James reveals the “first steps” any organization can take to pilot AI—no more fears, just strategic experimentation that unveils new insights and amplifies human stories. His vision demonstrates that AI’s true power isn’t in replacing us but in expanding our capacity to understand the complex tapestry of human experience.

Whether you're in academia, NGOs, market research, or managing mountains of open-ended data, this episode offers practical advice and inspiring possibilities for integrating AI thoughtfully and ethically. 

Don’t miss these insights into the future of qualitative research—where AI and human empathy come together to unlock stories more rich, nuanced, and impactful than ever before.

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Talking Insights is a Research World and Esomar production. 

Hosted by Antonio Almeida

Music by FreeMusicForVideo from Pixabay

Graphics by Brandon Heim

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If you’d like to be featured in a future episode or share your story, send us an email at [email protected].

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Esomar 2025 

Most teams struggle to turn rich qualitative insights into scalable, actionable business strategies — but what if you could transform deep research into a measurable, organization-wide advantage?

Melissa Ramon and Nadja Baum reveal how they bridged that gap using a hybrid approach that combines qualitative depth with quantitative rigor, all without starting from scratch. Their innovative framework not only validated existing personas but also created a reusable infrastructure that continuously drives product, content, and strategy decisions with confidence.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How to leverage qualitative personas into scalable survey-based classifications without costly segmentation exercises
• The surprising alignment between qualitative hypotheses and quantitative results, and what that means for your team
• The creation and impact of a reusable "typing tool" that engaged stakeholders and empowered ongoing research
• Practical strategies for embedding audience insights across product roadmaps, marketing strategies, and editorial decisions
• Why leadership buy-in and operational integration are key to making data-driven personas truly work for your business

If you're curious about building a durable audience understanding that fuels smarter decisions and deeper customer empathy — this episode is your blueprint. Whether you're in research, product, marketing, or leadership, you'll walk away with actionable tips to turn qualitative insights into real business impact today.

Send us Fan Mail

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Talking Insights is a Research World and Esomar production. 

Hosted by Antonio Almeida

Music by FreeMusicForVideo from Pixabay

Graphics by Brandon Heim

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you’d like to be featured in a future episode or share your story, send us an email at [email protected].

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subscribe to Esomar on Youtube - http://bit.ly/2Vk6j6a

• Follow us on LinkedIn - http://bit.ly/2Drifcg

Esomar 2025 

In this conversation, our host, Antonio and Ariana Arciniega (Intercept Music) discuss the transformative impact of technology on the music industry in Latin America, focusing on the evolution of artist-fan relationships, the importance of data analytics, and the challenges faced by independent artists. They explore how streaming has enabled artists to connect with fans and the significance of superfans in building sustainable careers. Additionally, they address common myths about independent artists and provide valuable advice for navigating the modern music landscape.

Send us Fan Mail

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Talking Insights is a Research World and Esomar production. 

Hosted by Antonio Almeida

Music by FreeMusicForVideo from Pixabay

Graphics by Brandon Heim

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you’d like to be featured in a future episode or share your story, send us an email at [email protected].

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subscribe to Esomar on Youtube - http://bit.ly/2Vk6j6a

• Follow us on LinkedIn - http://bit.ly/2Drifcg

Esomar 2025 

The conversation explores the integration of AI in research methodologies, emphasizing its potential to enhance understanding of consumer behavior and improve productivity in report writing.

Send us Fan Mail

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Talking Insights is a Research World and Esomar production. 

Hosted by Antonio Almeida

Music by FreeMusicForVideo from Pixabay

Graphics by Brandon Heim

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you’d like to be featured in a future episode or share your story, send us an email at [email protected].

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subscribe to Esomar on Youtube - http://bit.ly/2Vk6j6a

• Follow us on LinkedIn - http://bit.ly/2Drifcg

Esomar 2025 

The conversation focuses on the upcoming Esomar event in Africa, discussing its vision, the importance of community engagement, the diversity of the continent, and the role of youth and innovation in shaping the insights industry. Dharmendra Jain shares insights on the event's significance, the excitement surrounding it, and highlights key presentations that will be featured.

Know more about the event and explore the programme here: https://esomar.org/events/africa-2026-africa-in-focus-turning-insights-into-action

Send us Fan Mail

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Talking Insights is a Research World and Esomar production. 

Hosted by Antonio Almeida

Music by FreeMusicForVideo from Pixabay

Graphics by Brandon Heim

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you’d like to be featured in a future episode or share your story, send us an email at [email protected].

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subscribe to Esomar on Youtube - http://bit.ly/2Vk6j6a

• Follow us on LinkedIn - http://bit.ly/2Drifcg

Esomar 2025 

In this episode of Talking Insights, we welcome Sandro Kaulartz, Ajay Bangia, April Jeffries, and Karin O’Neill to explore the EDGE Framework, a methodology that focuses on identifying high-growth opportunities by examining extreme behaviors and divergences from the norm. The conversation delves into the integration of AI with qualitative research to uncover insights about user behavior at the margins, and how organizations can leverage these insights for innovation and growth. The panel discusses practical steps for applying the Edge Framework in various industries, emphasizing the importance of understanding user needs and behaviors to drive successful product development and marketing strategies.

You can explore this paper and some others here: 

1. The Next Big Thing - Exploring the EDGE for high growth opportunities
2. The Vibrant Fringes
3. Ipsos Views: Bigger Innovations Need Bigger Data

And the Research World article mentioned in the episode here: 

https://researchworld.com/hot-topics/the-next-big-thing-exploring-the-edge-for-high-growth-opportunities 

Send us Fan Mail

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Talking Insights is a Research World and Esomar production. 

Hosted by Antonio Almeida

Music by FreeMusicForVideo from Pixabay

Graphics by Brandon Heim

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you’d like to be featured in a future episode or share your story, send us an email at [email protected].

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subscribe to Esomar on Youtube - http://bit.ly/2Vk6j6a

• Follow us on LinkedIn - http://bit.ly/2Drifcg

Esomar 2025 

In this insightful conversation, Ariadna Carrascal discusses her award-winning data-driven marketing strategy for Samsung, focusing on the importance of emotional connections with consumers. She shares how a comprehensive analysis of consumer data led to a revolutionary approach that prioritized emotional engagement over technical specifications. The discussion highlights innovative research methodologies, including the integration of qualitative and quantitative research, and the use of AI to enhance consumer insights. Ariadna emphasizes the significance of implementing these insights effectively to drive brand attachment and improve marketing outcomes, offering valuable advice for marketers aiming to adopt emotion-driven strategies.

Send us Fan Mail

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Talking Insights is a Research World and Esomar production. 

Hosted by Antonio Almeida

Music by FreeMusicForVideo from Pixabay

Graphics by Brandon Heim

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you’d like to be featured in a future episode or share your story, send us an email at [email protected].

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subscribe to Esomar on Youtube - http://bit.ly/2Vk6j6a

• Follow us on LinkedIn - http://bit.ly/2Drifcg

Esomar 2025 

In this conversation, Antonio and Jori van de Spijker discuss the transformative role of artificial intelligence in advertising, particularly focusing on how AI can optimize advertising engagements by understanding cognitive demand. They explore the relationship between cognitive demand and real-world ad impact, the importance of collaboration between advertisers and creative agencies, and the future integration of AI in creative processes. Jory shares insights on the validation of AI tools through real-world data and offers advice for leveraging AI effectively in advertising strategies.

Send us Fan Mail

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Talking Insights is a Research World and Esomar production. 

Hosted by Antonio Almeida

Music by FreeMusicForVideo from Pixabay

Graphics by Brandon Heim

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you’d like to be featured in a future episode or share your story, send us an email at [email protected].

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subscribe to Esomar on Youtube - http://bit.ly/2Vk6j6a

• Follow us on LinkedIn - http://bit.ly/2Drifcg

Esomar 2025 

In this conversation, Vas Bakopoulos discusses his award-winning projects, the Movable Middles Growth Framework and the Brandeis Performance study. He explains the importance of targeting the 'movable middles' in marketing, which are consumers who are more responsive to advertising. The discussion also covers the design and outcomes of the Brandeis Performance study, emphasizing the need for accountability in brand investment and the connection between brand favorability and sales. Vas shares insights on how these frameworks can shape the future of marketing science and offers practical advice for marketers.

Send us Fan Mail

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Talking Insights is a Research World and Esomar production. 

Hosted by Antonio Almeida

Music by FreeMusicForVideo from Pixabay

Graphics by Brandon Heim

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you’d like to be featured in a future episode or share your story, send us an email at [email protected].

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subscribe to Esomar on Youtube - http://bit.ly/2Vk6j6a

• Follow us on LinkedIn - http://bit.ly/2Drifcg

Esomar 2025 

The conversation explores the development and implications of a global feelings toolkit designed to understand emotions across cultures. Tara Howes and Tomas Gonsorcik discuss the project's phases, the importance of emotional connections in marketing, and the cultural nuances that affect how feelings are interpreted. They also share insights on future directions for the toolkit and offer advice for insights professionals on measuring complex emotions.

Send us Fan Mail

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Talking Insights is a Research World and Esomar production. 

Hosted by Antonio Almeida

Music by FreeMusicForVideo from Pixabay

Graphics by Brandon Heim

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you’d like to be featured in a future episode or share your story, send us an email at [email protected].

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subscribe to Esomar on Youtube - http://bit.ly/2Vk6j6a

• Follow us on LinkedIn - http://bit.ly/2Drifcg

Esomar 2025