The insights industry is evolving fast—and not everyone will keep up. This episode tackles leadership transitions at the Insight Association, the shift from AI hype to proven results, and new competitors bypassing traditional research teams entirely. From OpenAI's Atlas browser to Amazon's AI making purchase decisions for consumers, the technology isn't just changing tools—it's redefining how people make choices. Meanwhile, established players face a stark reality: innovate now or watch nimble startups capture your clients.

The message is clear: upskill, adapt, and support each other, because standing still is no longer an option!

IIEX.AI revealed a paradox: while AI tools advance at breakneck speed, successful implementation still depends on human judgment and organizational culture. Most companies remain stuck in experimental mode, using AI for efficiency gains rather than transformation. Meanwhile, Walmart's ChatGPT partnership signals conversational commerce is here, MIT's self-adapting AI raises autonomy questions, and the real competitive battle is shifting to unglamorous data preparation challenges.

This episode unpacks why the gap between AI capability and adoption isn't technical—it's human.

Get your On-Demand ticket for IIEX.AI → https://hubs.ly/Q03bW6zZ0

AI is rewriting the rules — and everyone wants in. This week, Karen Lynch and Lenny Murphy dive into the wave of change sweeping through the insights industry. From a record-breaking AI event drawing thousands of professionals to a multi-billion-dollar acquisition reshaping the data landscape, they explore how innovation, competition, and ethics are colliding in real time.

It’s a candid look at what’s driving the momentum — and how to stay human in a world that’s moving faster than ever.

Market research is in the middle of a transformation. Investors are betting big on AI platforms while startups give away services that used to be premium offerings. AI can now create fake videos and shop for us—raising a crucial question: how do we study human behavior when we can't tell humans from bots?

The real divide isn't between people and AI; it's between professionals who can leverage AI and those who can't. Speed matters, but clients still need humans who can make sense of the noise and tell stories that drive decisions. The industry isn't disappearing—it's just figuring out what comes next.

You can reach out to Niels Schillewaert on LinkedIn.

Many thanks to Conveo for sponsoring this episode of The Exchange

Private equity is reshaping ad tech with billion-dollar deals like Integral Ad Science's $1.9B acquisition, while AI-powered research tools from companies like Morning Consult promise to democratize consumer insights. We explore the race to build AI-first devices, the growing importance of data integrity, and why transaction-linked data is becoming the new gold standard for understanding consumers.

From Google's autonomous web vision to the balance between human creativity and artificial intelligence, this episode reveals the strategic moves and breakthrough technologies defining the future of consumer insights.

The market research landscape is shifting rapidly. Kantar's major restructuring hints at a potential sale or IPO, while AI-powered startups like Kepler are raising millions to disrupt traditional research methods.

Plus, Meta's new $800 AR glasses might finally bring augmented reality to the mainstream. Are established players ready for what's coming next?

AI is only as good as the data behind it. In this episode, Karen and Lenny dig into why bad data can derail entire strategies, how new AI-powered tools are reshaping research, and what the rise of wearables could mean for privacy, connection, and the future of communication.

Along the way, they explore a bigger question: how can the insights industry stay human in a world increasingly driven by machines?

For our 100th episode of The Exchange, Karen and Lenny reflect on the stories, people, and ideas that have defined the journey so far. They share listener voices, highlight the themes that keep surfacing in our industry, and look ahead to what the next 100 conversations might bring.

From the rise of AI in research to the importance of human storytelling, this milestone episode is both a celebration and a reminder of why these conversations matter.

From a $40 million startup collapse to billion-dollar private equity moves, this episode unpacks the wild swings happening in research technology and customer experience. We dive into why even well-funded companies are failing, how AI is both solving and creating data quality nightmares, and what breakthrough innovations are actually making a difference.

Plus, we explore everything from eye-tracking tools helping people with ALS to autonomous grocery robots that might be coming to your neighborhood.

Databricks hits a staggering $100 billion valuation while the data economy undergoes massive transformation. From AI-powered market research disrupting traditional surveys to strategic partnerships reshaping entire industries, this episode unpacks the trends driving billions in investment. Plus, why the future of AI isn't about bigger models—it's about smarter, specialized ones that seamlessly integrate into how we work.