What's Happening?
Strategic advisory consultancy What Humans Do has announced the appointment of Torie Bold as a new partner. Bold's role will focus on supporting the development of an AI-first operating model that integrates behavioral science. Prior to joining What Humans Do,
Bold held several senior positions, including global head of client delivery and operational excellence at Savanta, where she also served as executive vice-president and UK general manager, and executive vice-president wealth. Her career also includes leadership roles at Wealth-X and Ledbury Research. Bold is recognized as an accredited executive coach and a certified member of the Market Research Society. What Humans Do was established earlier this year by Dr. Nick Baker, former chief research officer at Savanta, with the aim of assisting organizations in their AI transformation journeys and providing behavioral insights.
Why It's Important?
This appointment signifies a growing trend in the consulting sector towards integrating artificial intelligence with human behavioral understanding to deliver more effective business solutions. The emphasis on an 'AI-first operating model centered on behavioral science' highlights a strategic approach to market research and advisory services. For U.S. businesses, this development underscores the increasing importance of leveraging AI not just for data processing, but for deeper insights into consumer and organizational behavior. Companies that can effectively combine AI's analytical power with nuanced behavioral understanding are likely to gain a competitive edge in strategy development, product innovation, and market positioning. The move also reflects the evolving landscape of market research, where traditional methodologies are being augmented or replaced by more agile, AI-driven approaches to provide faster and more cost-effective insights.
What's Next?
With Torie Bold's appointment, What Humans Do is expected to further refine its AI-driven behavioral science offerings. The consultancy's focus will likely be on demonstrating how its integrated approach can provide 'smarter, faster and cheaper insights' to clients. This could lead to the development of new AI tools and methodologies that specifically target behavioral patterns for strategic decision-making. Other advisory firms in the U.S. market may observe this model closely, potentially leading to similar strategic hires or the adoption of comparable AI-behavioral science integration strategies. The success of this approach could influence how U.S. businesses seek external consulting, prioritizing firms that can offer advanced analytical capabilities combined with deep human insights. The Market Research Society, of which Bold is a certified member, may also see an increased emphasis on AI and behavioral science in its professional development and accreditation programs.
Beyond the Headlines
The strategic integration of AI and behavioral science, as championed by What Humans Do, points to a broader shift in how organizations understand and interact with their target audiences. This approach moves beyond simple data analytics to predict and influence human actions, raising ethical considerations regarding data privacy and the potential for manipulation. The long-term implications could include a more personalized, yet potentially less transparent, interaction between businesses and consumers. Culturally, it could lead to a greater reliance on AI-generated insights for decision-making, potentially altering the role of human intuition and experience in strategic planning. Legally, the use of AI to analyze and influence behavior may necessitate new regulations concerning data usage, algorithmic transparency, and consumer protection, particularly as these technologies become more sophisticated and pervasive in the U.S. market.
