Research, AI, and Whisky — A conversation with Matt Wallens — E23

SummaryMatthew and Matt reflect on their journey in podcasting, share nostalgic moments, and delve into the evolving landscape of AI in research. They discuss the balance between utilizing AI tools and maintaining human collaboration, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and oversight in research processes. The dialogue highlights both the potential benefits and challenges of integrating AI into research, ultimately advocating for a collaborative approach that values human insight alongside technological advancements.BioMatt Wallens is a research consultant who helps businesses get to the heart of their customers' challenges and turn those insights into better products and services. Whether you want to call it user experience design, service design, customer experience, marketing, or any combination of those words, he's got you covered.Matt works closely with executive leadership and their teams to establish a strong UX research practice, ensuring they have the resources and expertise needed to excel.Outside of work, Matt enjoys hiking, whiskey tasting, and exploring Atlanta's taco scene. He's also the founder of the UX Research Atlanta professional organization.Chapters00:00 Cold (on the rocks?) Open06:13 The Philosophy of No Rehearsal10:03 YES, WE'RE STARTING NOW. FINALLY.11:29 Haha, tricked you. _Now_ we're starting.14:37 This time I mean it!18:26 The Risks of AI in Research22:56 Trusting AI: A Shift in Perspective28:56 Real-World Applications of AI in Research39:24 The Role of AI in Research40:41 Balancing AI Use and Human Interaction48:29 The Future of Collaboration in ResearchKeywordsAI, research, podcasting, collaboration, technology, nostalgia, friendship, tools, insights, UX research, whisky