Designing the Future of Behavior: AI, Habit Science, and Change at Scale with Samuel Salzer

Send a textIn this episode, we explore the intersection of behavioral science, habit formation, and AI with Samuel Salzer—behavioral strategist, founder of Habit Weekly, and co-host of The Behavioral Design Podcast.Sam shares how he went from studying finance in Australia to becoming a leader in digital behavior change, impacting over 350 million users worldwide. We talk about the science behind habit formation, the story behind Habit Weekly, and practical ways behavioral scientists and researchers can work smarter with AI—without losing their unique perspective.We also dive into Sam’s recent benchmarking study of 20+ AI tools for literature reviews and explore what behavioral scientists can bring to the evolving AI landscape.In This Episode, You’ll Learn:How Sam helped his mom build a 100-day meditation habit (that stuck for 15+ years)Why behavior change starts with stable context, not motivationThe origin of Habit Weekly and how it grew from a LinkedIn postHow to use AI as a brainstorming partner and productivity toolWhat to look for (and avoid) in AI-powered research toolsThe "Human-AI Sandwich" method to keep your work groundedFour ways behavioral scientists can add value in an AI-driven worldFeatured Guest: Samuel SalzerSam is a behavioral strategist and one of the leading voices in applied behavioral science. He founded Habit Weekly, the world’s largest behavioral design newsletter, and co-founded Nuance Behavior, a collective helping teams apply behavioral science at scale. His work spans digital health, sustainability, finance, and AI.Resources & MentionsHabit Weekly NewsletterNuance BehaviorThe Behavioral Design Podcast – Season 3 is all about AINuance Behavior's AI tools benchmarking report Get in TouchHave thoughts about this episode? Connect with Dr. Michelle Handy on LinkedIn and follow Deep Thoughts for more insights at the intersection of behavioral science, tech, and design. Deep Thoughts with Michelle Handy explores the intersections of behavioral science, tech, and design through engaging conversations with thought leaders. Whether you're building products, leading teams, or navigating your own career journey, each episode delivers practical insights to inspire personal growth and drive innovation.