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

Summary
Matthew 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.

Bio
Matt 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.

Chapters
00:00 Cold (on the rocks?) Open
06:13 The Philosophy of No Rehearsal
10:03 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 Research
22:56 Trusting AI: A Shift in Perspective
28:56 Real-World Applications of AI in Research
39:24 The Role of AI in Research
40:41 Balancing AI Use and Human Interaction
48:29 The Future of Collaboration in Research

Keywords
AI, research, podcasting, collaboration, technology, nostalgia, friendship, tools, insights, UX research, whisky