How can startups and large companies build new ventures better and faster using AI tools? In this webcast replay, Dave Blakely of Mach49 demonstrates how to accelerate customer research with synthetic personas identify customer pain-points and pain hypotheses with AI support; and visualize solutions using AI tools. He was joined by Intel’s Dror Sharon, an entrepreneur in residence who helps incubate new technologies.
To watch the webcast replay, click “play” above. You can also download the slides at the link below.
Seven key insights from this webcast:
- AI-Augmented Customer Research: Dave Blakely explained how generative AI has transformed Mach 49’s traditional customer research processes. Previously, teams conducted 150-300 user interviews over 12 weeks, but now they create AI-powered “customer doubles” to simulate conversations, accelerating research and enabling more efficient stakeholder engagement. This shift has maintained the commitment to customer insights while optimizing resource use.
- Synthetic Personas for Initial Insights: Dror Sharon emphasized the efficiency of AI-generated synthetic personas in scaling qualitative research. He highlighted how this approach allows for statistically informed insights even before conducting large-scale surveys. Sharon sees this as a way to front-load insights and streamline traditional, labor-intensive customer discovery methods.
- Prompt Engineering as a Key Skill: Both speakers stressed the importance of learning prompt engineering. Dave Blakely recommended that teams develop a basic understanding of how to interact effectively with generative AI to extract high-quality outputs. While acknowledging that prompt engineering may evolve, he suggested dedicating a few hours to mastering it for immediate benefits.
- Decision-Making Support with AI: Dror Sharon shared examples of using AI for complex decision-making frameworks. By engaging in structured conversations with AI, users can generate decision matrices that help prioritize resources and reduce biases. Sharon likened this AI-driven process to having a “miniature consultant” that assists in creating more objective, data-driven outcomes.
- Generative AI for Ideation: Blakely and Sharon discussed how AI can unlock creativity by rapidly generating and refining ideas. Sharon noted the benefit of continuous AI iteration, which can accelerate market research by surfacing ideas that teams may not have considered as quickly on their own. However, they both emphasized the importance of human judgment to evaluate and refine these ideas.
- Simulations and Scenario Planning: Blakely described using generative AI to simulate business scenarios, akin to creating digital twins for new ventures. This capability allows teams to model and explore unfamiliar lines of business and test different strategies. He shared an example from the energy sector, where AI analysis revealed correlations between team composition and project success.
- The Future of Consulting: Both speakers reflected on AI’s impact on professional services. Blakely predicted that firms focusing on research are most susceptible to disruption, while those addressing ambiguity and offering unique perspectives will thrive. Sharon added that AI can turbocharge change management efforts, enhancing productivity and enabling consultants to focus on higher-level tasks.
Speaker Bios
Dave Blakely, EVP, Mach49
As EVP at Mach49, Dave leverages his time with two successful startups and innovation firm IDEO, and his background as an instructor at Stanford and UC Berkeley, to cultivate dynamic new paradigms of training and distance learning, to transform a global network of professionals into successful venture builders and venture investors. He loves working with small interdisciplinary teams to build businesses that were not imaginable just 5 or 10 years ago, and lives for the magical moments when those teams foresee the implications of technical advances and visualize truly new opportunities.
Dror Sharon, Entrepreneur in Residence, Intel
Dror Sharon serves as an Entrepreneur in Residence at Intel, where he plays a pivotal role in incubating and nurturing world-changing technologies that enrich the lives of people across the globe. Dror brings over two decades of experience in business development, strategic planning, and innovation, having held key leadership roles across various industries. He holds a proven track record in driving technological advancement and shaping the future of smart mobility. His expertise spans AI-driven data solutions, smart city technologies, and the automotive ecosystem.
Document Download
Click filename(s) to download and view.
