How can product design and marketing be optimized with psychology and AI? In this episode hosted by Nacho Andrade, Solsten CEO & Co-Founder Joe Schaeppi speaks on his background in UX design, clinical psychology, and adventure therapy, and how that blend of skills informs his approach to product development. He highlights the limitations of demographic and behavioral data in predicting customer behavior, and explains how Solsten uses AI and psychology to provide companies with more accurate insights when optimizing product design, marketing, and advertising. Joe also shares his passion for skiing and physical products, and offers his thoughts on the role of AI in creativity and the future of human-computer interaction.
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Show Notes
- Joe Schaeppi background includes UX design, clinical psychology, and adventure therapy, which informs his approach to product development.
- Understanding customer psychology is more important than relying solely on demographic or behavioral data.
- Solsten uses AI and psychology to help companies gain more accurate insights into their target audiences.
- Demographic data is often not a reliable predictor of customer behavior and preferences.
- Survey questions can lead to unintended consequences, like the creation of hated features like Microsoft’s Clippy.
- Behavioral economics has limitations in predicting future outcomes due to the unpredictability of human behavior.
- Incorporating psychological factors into data analysis can provide more accurate predictions of customer behavior.
- Solsten’s database of psychological insights allows companies to assess product market potential and avoid launching unsuccessful products.
- Solsten helps companies optimize game design and marketing creativity by understanding their audience’s psychology.
- Solsten’s target customers are midsize to larger enterprises looking to better understand and engage their customers.
- Smaller companies can also benefit from Solsten’s insights to scale and grow their business.
- The best products immerse users in reality and build a resonance between the user and their environment.
- Cloud computing and ChatGPT are revolutionary technologies with significant potential for growth.
- AI is not as adept at generating new ideas as it is at synthesizing existing information.
- Creativity and divergent thinking skills will become increasingly valuable as AI takes over routine tasks.
- AI may lead to a resurgence of quality and depth in art and media, with humans serving as translators and anchors of meaning.
- New languages and forms of communication may emerge as a result of AI’s interaction with humans.
- Advertising may evolve to become a “gentle tap on the shoulder from a good friend” rather than intrusive messaging.
- Joe is passionate about skiing and believes physical products can create a deeper connection with users.
- The future of human-computer interaction will be shaped by the interplay between AI’s capabilities and human creativity and wisdom.
About the speaker
Meet Joe Schaeppi, a visionary in human psychology who wants to fundamentally change the way brands and audiences connect. As the CEO and founder of Solsten, an AI-powered platform for human-centric experiences, Joe is pioneering the use of video games for cognitive assessment, opening up new possibilities for not only the gaming industry but for mental health diagnostics and treatment. Armed with his experience leading UX strategy for Big Fish Games and MRM // McCann and his impactful work as a startup advisor, adventure-based psychotherapist, and ski ambassador for The North Face, Joe intrinsically understands the power of a people-first approach and is ready to help companies create healthier and livelier experiences for users without leaving them overstimulated and disconnected from the real world.
About the host
Nacho is an Evangelist for all things product, advocating for innovation, diversity, and building amazing products. Nacho has spent over 10 years in product roles ranging from startups to enterprise in industries like education, healthcare, finance and gaming.