Talking Insights
Researchers work every day to understand the changing landscape around them - but what deeper insights can we find through their work that can help shape our future? Join Esomar on a journey of discovery, as we bring together guests from around the globe to explore the biggest questions of today, diving deeper into the challenges that face our society, and uncover new insights about the world around us.
Talking Insights
The Missing Human Element in AI: Why Tech Alone Won't Save Us
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Most organizations are unknowingly killing the very human touch that makes AI truly valuable.
Manuel Garcia-Garcia reveals why focusing solely on accuracy and speed in AI systems is a mistake—and how empathy, trust, and human oversight are essential for AI to work with us, not without us.
In this episode, Manuel shares eye-opening insights from his upcoming book, Smarter Together, which explores how we think, feel, and decide alongside AI. Discover why AI’s role isn’t to replace human decision-making but to augment it—whether in healthcare, government services, or daily life.
You'll learn why blindly trusting AI can be dangerous, and how intentional design of workflows and human-AI interaction boosts trust, reduces mistakes, and makes systems more effective.
We break down critical topics such as the paradox of AI trust—why we trust it quickly but also lose confidence fast. Manuel discusses the risks of over-reliance, how to maintain human oversight, and the cultural differences affecting AI adoption worldwide. Plus, get practical advice on how research professionals and organizations can shift from automation for its own sake to AI-powered augmentation that makes us smarter and more human-centered.
This episode is essential listening for leaders, data scientists, researchers, and anyone eager to harness AI responsibly. If you want AI to empower rather than replace, this conversation provides the strategic mindset—and concrete tactics—to make that a reality. Don’t let AI outpace your understanding—learn how to make it work for the human experience.
Manuel Garcia-Garcia is a renowned expert in consumer neuroscience and AI psychology. As an author and thought leader, he’s dedicated to exploring the nuanced relationship between humans and AI—and how to design systems that respect our cognitive and emotional complexity.
Get ready to rethink AI. This isn’t just an episode about technology; it’s about mastering the human side of innovation.
Learn more about the upcoming book Smarter Together here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/100973458X
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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 podcast@esomar.org.
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Esomar 2025