AI Heroes is a podcast by ONE Strategy Studio that explores the transformative impact of artificial intelligence through candid conversations with pioneers in marketing, insights, and innovation. Each episode features industry leaders who share their authentic experiences navigating the AI revolution. We cover the spectrum - from early skepticism to breakthrough successes.
Episodes go beyond typical tech discussions to uncover the human side of AI adoption. Guests reveal personal journeys, practical challenges, and real-world outcomes they've achieved for global brands and consumers.
In this episode, Kyle Papanikolas, Insights Leader at McDonald's, shares a provocative theory about how AI is fundamentally dividing the insights profession into two camps—and why only one will thrive in the AI era.
With 20 years of experience spanning supplier-side research to leading insights at one of the world's most iconic brands, Kyle offers a candid perspective on AI's real-world impact. He reveals how McDonald's is navigating company-wide AI adoption, from rolling out Microsoft Copilot across the entire organization to the careful experimentation happening within his insights team.
Kyle doesn't hold back on the controversial topics. He explains why he's "very, very careful" about using AI to replace the voice of actual customers, sharing test results where synthetic panels produced completely different business conclusions than real consumer research. He outlines his philosophical stance that AI should never become the strategic engine of a business—instead, its role is to free up time and strengthen human strategic thinking.
The conversation explores a breakthrough macro trend forecasting project from four years ago that used AI to simultaneously analyze consumer demand, industry innovation, and government regulatory changes—demonstrating how AI excels at synthesizing diverse data sources while humans provide the strategic lens on business implications.
Kyle also addresses the transitional challenges large organizations face, from antiquated systems that make AI integration difficult to the "training wheels phase" most major corporations are experiencing. He shares practical advice for early-career professionals navigating an industry where technical expertise is becoming less valuable and strategic thinking increasingly critical.
This episode offers insights leaders a realistic roadmap for AI adoption—one that embraces automation for transactional work while doubling down on the irreplaceable human elements of empathy, strategic thinking, and customer connection.
Key Topics:
The two-camp theory: how AI elevates strategic thinkers while diminishing technical-only roles
Why synthetic consumer panels failed the real-world test at McDonald's
Using AI as a strategic discourse partner, not a replacement for human thinking
McDonald's company-wide Copilot rollout and team experimentation approach
The macro trend forecasting case study: three-lens AI data collection
Why AI should free up time for deeper human connection, not replace it
Navigating antiquated systems and the "training wheels phase" of enterprise AI adoption
Career advice for insights professionals in an AI-transformed industry
Guest Bio: Kyle Papanikolas is an Insights Leader at McDonald's with 20 years of experience in the insights industry. He began his career on the supplier side during the manual research era and has witnessed the industry's evolution through multiple technological transformations. At McDonald's, he leads insights strategy while championing AI experimentation and adoption across his team, balancing innovation with the critical importance of authentic customer voice.
Connect with Kyle on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-papanikolas-700b2b6/)
17 Feb 2026
AI Heroes: Sarah Siddiqui - Episode 19
Sarah Siddiqui leads portfolio strategy and innovation for Unilever Food Solutions in North America. With 13.5 years at Unilever spanning six categories and three markets, she brings a rare blend of retail consumer goods and B2B2C food service expertise to the AI conversation.
In this episode, Sarah shares her transformation from AI skeptic to strategic believer, revealing how a large CPG organization is actually implementing artificial intelligence across portfolio strategy and innovation. Her approach is refreshingly practical, avoiding buzzwords while showing real results.
Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-siddiqui-099b8036/)
19 Jan 2026
AI Heroes: Jenna Beglin - Episode 18
Consumer insights leader Jenna Beglin discusses how AI should unlock new possibilities in consumer research by enabling researchers to do something they couldn't do before in this interview.
Who has been a guest on AI Heroes
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Jenna Beglin
Lucy Richardson
Elle Park
Jason Hauer
Didem Molay
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Podcast Authority Score: 24 / 100
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Engagement
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Dave and Dave Carruthers host the show. Published by ONE Strategy Studio.
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The show publishes weekly, based on its RSS feed.
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