The Human-Centric AI Podcast

Generative AI has changed the world of advertising. Large Language Models create draft copy instantly. Image generators produce visuals in minutes. Text-to-video tools will make creative development even more streamlined. But what about the risks from all this AI-led efficiency? Can Generative AI really design compelling ads? Emotional engagement is critical for advertising success. Will the rush to automate the creative process strip advertising of its emotional power? Today, we are featuring our own Sasha Mukhanova, Account and Business Development Director at Affectiva. With 15 years experience in advertising effectiveness research, Sasha is an advertising nerd and neuroscience enthusiast. Her mission is to humanize technology with ad testing AI. She is joined by Graham Page, Affectiva’s Global Managing Director of Media Analytics for a moderated discussion with Mike Stevens, the Founder of Insight Platforms. This episode shares how Emotion AI can work with Generative AI to ensure that ads drive long-term brand equity, audience engagement and even virality. Listen in to learn more. Links of interest: Generative AI meets Emotion AI: AI Disruption in Advertising: https://go.affectiva.com/generative-ai-meets-emotion-ai-ebook The Future of Advertising: Generative AI meets Emotion AIGenerative AI & Emotion AI

Today, we are joined by a guest whose journey traverses the dynamic realms of traditional media and cutting-edge Emotion AI technology. Dr. Leon Hawthorne is not only a former news anchor for CNN International and CNBC Europe but also a Founder CEO of two satellite television channels. His extensive experience in the media landscape has been complemented by his entrepreneurial spirit, leading him to explore the forefront of Artificial Intelligence in digital communication. Dr. Hawthorne recently earned his Ph.D. in 2024, delving into the captivating world of Generative AI and its impact on our digital lives. Long before the current surge in AI adoption, Leon embarked on a research project titled 'Talking Heads.' This initiative aimed to evaluate the integration of AI-generated virtual humans as on-screen news presenters, a concept that has gained unprecedented relevance in today's rapidly evolving technological landscape. His findings, which we will be exploring in detail, shed light on audience perceptions, preferences, and the challenges that arise when blending human authenticity with the prowess of Generative AI. Let’s listen in to learn more. Links of interest: Emotion AI in journalismTalking Heads: The use of virtual human presenters for the delivery of news contentGenerative AI meets Emotion AI: AI Disruption in AdvertisingAffectiva Emotion AI

Today we have a very special episode featuring Dr. Rana el Kaliouby, former Co-Founder and CEO of Affectiva, currently Deputy CEO of Smart Eye, having a discussion with Smart Eye CEO Martin Krantz. In their conversation, Rana and Martin touch on the significance of recent design wins, the methodology behind estimating revenue and lifetime value, and the exciting potential of combining interior sensing with generative AI. Listen in to learn more. Links of interest: Smart Eye Announces New Automotive Interior Sensing AI Design Win with European Premium Car ManufacturerWatch full livestream video of this conversationSmart Eye Achieves Another Milestone with Interior Sensing Design WinInterior Sensing: The Next Frontier in Improving Road Safety and the Mobility Experience

In today’s episode, we dive into the world of eye tracking technology and how it’s transforming the landscape of human factors research setups. We covered why eye tracking is more applicable than ever, hosting three expert speakers from the University of North Dakota. Furthermore, iMotions spoke on the multi-modal approach for enhanced insights. Listen in to learn more Links of interest: Expanding Human Insights: Combining Eye Tracking with Biosensors to Assist University Research LabUND puts Humvee through its paces, assisted by minivan mom: MeUnleashing the Power of Smart Eye: Transforming Research Capabilities at UND / RIAS

In today's episode, we dive into a recent collaborative event Smart Eye attended at the University of North Dakota (or UND) and the Research Institute for Autonomous Systems (RIAS). With a comprehensive setup featuring multiple cameras, EEG data collection modules, and emotion sensing capabilities, the UND RIAS team is poised to unlock the true potential of eye tracking technology combined with other biosensors. Speaking with Smart Eye, UND Professor and project sponsor Philip Brandt and the students involved in this week-long tech event, we got a comprehensive look into their project, which includes equipping a HUMVEE with advanced Smart Eye Pro eye tracking systems and iMotions analysis software. This state-of-the-art arrangement provides a powerful platform for capturing and analyzing data related to driver and passenger behavior, setting the stage for groundbreaking research. Listen to learn more! Links of interest: Expanding Human Insights: Combining Eye Tracking with Biosensors to Assist University Research LabsUND puts Humvee through its paces, assisted by minivan mom: MeUnleashing the Power of Smart Eye: Transforming Research Capabilities at UND / RIAS

Marketers often talk about the art of storytelling, but how do they measure up to the experts in filmmaking? In a world where emotions drive engagement, Affectiva's Emotion AI database, with 80 thousand pieces of advertising and entertainment content, provides unique insights. This technology reads between the lines, decoding facial expressions to understand audience engagement and feelings in the moment of viewing. In a recent webinar hosted by Greenbook, Affectiva's Mitzi Lorentzen guided attendees through case studies and quantitative analyses, uncovering the role of emotions in driving key outcomes such as advertising sales and box office success. Mitzi dove into the comparison between advertising and entertainment in evoking viewer emotion and the consequences that follow. She also covered the art of getting emotion right – when to use positive versus negative emotions and how to tailor them to different genres or messages. Throughout the webinar event, she showcased practical applications beyond box office hits, illustrating how the tricks of narrative revealed by emotional AI can drive attention and engagement across various industries. Listen in to learn more. Links of interest: Emotion AI: How to Boost Business Outcomes with Narrative Insightshttps://go.affectiva.com/emotion-ai-how-to-boost-business-outcomes-with-narrative-insights-webinarEmotion AI and Facial Coding: The Power of Emotional Insights in Entertainment Content Testing: https://blog.affectiva.com/emotion-ai-and-facial-coding-the-power-of-emotional-insights-in-entertainment-content-testing Emotion AI Unveiled: Crafting Compelling Entertainment with MarketCast:https://smarteye.se/podcasts/emotion-ai-unveiled-crafting-compelling-entertainment-with-marketcast/Affectiva Media Analytics for Entertainment Content Testing: https://www.affectiva.com/product/affectiva-media-analytics-for-entertainment-content-testing/

Today’s episode features two Smart Eye team members, Mario and Aaron, discussing the transformative potential of Smart Eye’s eye tracking solutions in redefining the possibilities of automotive research in a recent live virtual event. Attendees discovered the essence of eye tracking, its profound relevance, and how it enables breakthroughs in road safety, human-machine interaction, and human factors research. Listen in to learn more. Links of interest: Revolutionizing Automotive Research with Smart Eye Pro:How Georgia Tech Sonification Lab is Using Eye Tracking to Understand Driver BehaviorVI-grade: How Vehicle Simulation Accelerates Product Development:Fit to Drive? 5 Key Insights into the State of Intoxicated Driving Research

Today we are going to dive into some of the latest advancements in visual attention measurement, and how it is revolutionizing ad creative effectiveness testing. We will also discuss creative development strategies, how to balance attention and brand goals, and briefly touch on integrating attention metrics into your existing measurement frameworks. Our expert speakers: Links of interest: Craving Attention: How to Capture and Retain the Attention Your Ad NeedsAttention beyond views for creative effectivenesshttps://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4486406/F7D84352F9B82123DF33B52E58D1A61B/5253078

Today’s episode features Elsa Magner, Senior Project Manager at Smart Eye. Elsa has extensive expertise spanning various technical domains, including project management, quality assurance, and product development. With a mission to instill structure, purpose, and clear goals in her work, Elsa is a seasoned professional who thrives on delivering on expectations, collaborating with competent teams, and adapting swiftly to new challenges. As a vital part of Smart Eye's Applied AI Systems team, Elsa shared insights into her role enhancing road safety through driver monitoring systems. As an expert navigating legislative requirements, she discussed challenges and successes in implementing safety systems, emphasizing the role of data. Listen in to learn more. Links of interest: Fleet Safety Technologyhttps://smarteye.se/applied-ai-systems/Driver Monitoring for Commercial Vehicleshttps://smarteye.se/ais/How to Install Smart Eye AIS in 5 MinutesThe Ultimate Guide to Driver Monitoring Systems in the Fleet Industry

Today’s episode features Dr. Tara Akhavan, Global Innovation and Ecosystems Director at Forvia. Dr. Akhavan is an award-winning technology entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in leadership and product strategy. She is the Founder, President & CEO of Faurecia, a groundbreaking company in the field of Perceptual Display/Image Processing for both consumer and automotive markets. Faurecia Irystec was acquired by Faurecia (Forvia) in 2020, where Tara now serves as the Global Innovation & Ecosystems Director, overseeing startups internally and externally, as well as leading the central Innovation team. She holds a Ph.D. in Image Processing and Computer Vision and actively contributes to industry committees such as CIE and SID. In our conversation, Dr. Akhavan unveils the fascinating journey from her Vienna PhD to pioneering human-centric mobility, teasing exclusive details about Forvia's CES 2024 presence and sharing insights on the impactful intersection of Emotion AI and innovative automotive technologies. Links of interest: Tara’s TED Talk: Technology Followers or Leaders?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFnNCuylXR4Consumer Electronics Show : 4 FORVIA technologies win CES 2024 innovation awards:Smart Eye Announces Innovative Emotion Generative AI Capability and Key Partnerships at CES 2024FORVIA and Smart Eye join forces on groundbreaking emotion AI demo at CES 2024About ForviaFacial Expression Analysis Emotion AI

In today's episode, we are delving into the groundbreaking world of AI art expression for those with Motor Neuron Disease (or MND) such as ALS. We spoke with guests Franklin Williams and Evan Schmidt from the AREA 23 Agency, along with Richard Cave from the MND Association. Richard Cave is a Speech and Language Therapist, working with the MND Association and also with Google, providing specialist Speech Therapy consultancy to the technology teams. He is also PhD candidate at University College London, national adviser to Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists for voice banking and 2022 Allied Professional of the Year recipient from the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations. Then from Area 23, we have Franklin Williams and Evan Schmidt. As EVP, Executive Director of Experience Design, Franklin is an ideal blend of creativity, user experience, and technology, and has been using his passion for innovation to elevate the importance of experience design in the advertising industry for nearly 20 years. Along with Franklin we also have Evan Schmidt, Associate Creative Director (Art) at AREA 23. Evan is a dynamic creative fueled by an unwavering passion for AI art. With a background in illustration and a flair for innovation, he seamlessly integrates AI algorithms into his artistic vision, crafting visually stunning and thought-provoking pieces. Together with the team at AREA 23 an IPG Health Company, Evan helped to develop the Mind’s Eye app. Mind’s Eye is the world’s first AI art expression tool for people with MND/ALS. As an Associate Creative Director, Evan inspires his team to embrace the transformative power of AI, creating a new era of visually captivating and intellectually stimulating experiences. In our conversation, we unravelled the journey behind Mind's Eye, exploring its purpose, unique features, and the impact it has on the lives of its users. We also uncover the synergy between Mind's Eye and the Smart Eye assistive technology partner Smartbox (who use our eye tracking to help give a voice to those who are unable to) the pivotal role of eye tracking technology, and hear inspiring user stories. Evan has an exciting call-to-action for our listeners—try Mind's Eye in Grid with a 60-day free trial for Windows or a 30-day free trial for iPad at thinksmartbox.com/try-grid. Get ready for a deep dive into the transformative realm of Mind's Eye and the evolution of human-centric AI! Links of interest: Try Mind's Eye in Grid with a 60-day free trialMind’s Eyehttps://minds-eye.app/home/SmartboxSmart Eye Smartbox Case Study

We have a special episode today featuring Smart Eye Deputy CEO Dr. Rana El Kaliouby (formerly Co-Founder and CEO of Affectiva) speaking with with Leïla Maidane: Leïla is a socially-minded entrepreneur who puts technology at the service of economic mobility. With expertise in digital transformation, she launched Femmes Fières in 2019 to elevate businesses founded by female entrepreneurs using technology as a catalyst. In 2020, she founded InterSkillar, a startup revolutionising the transition between education and work for young people. Leïla's influence also extends to her position on the board of Agoria Brussels and her active role in advancing the digital transition for women entrepreneurs in Europe. She was voted Inspiring50 in 2022, Top 100 most influential female entrepreneurs in Europe in 2023 and is a member of the Belgium 40under40. In this livestream, Rana and Leïla discussed the AI landscape in Europe, especially as it relates to female entrepreneurs, how technology can be a vehicle for economic and social mobility, and topics around ethics, equity and responsible use of AI. Let’s listen in to learn more. Links of interest: [Video] Watch the LinkedIn Livestream here:www.affectiva.com http://www.interskillar.bewww.ranaelkaliouy.com

Today’s episode features Daniel Murray, Senior Vice President at the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI). Dan has more than 30 years of experience in a broad range of transportation fields including trucking research and economics, transportation safety technologies and autonomous vehicles. At ATRI, Mr. Murray is responsible for managing ATRI’s transportation research, testing and evaluation activities, and leads multiple national activities including the U.S. DOT-sponsored Freight Mobility Initiative. He is a well-known freight subject-matter expert and is a keynote speaker at more than a dozen annual events. Dan and I talked about top concerns in trucking fleet safety, challenges in fleet safety management, why safety matters, and critical technologies for fleet safety. Listen to learn more. Links of interest: American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) Latest Research[Press] Smart Eye Introduces AIS CV Alert: Advanced GSR-Compliant Drowsiness Detection for Buses and Trucks:[eBook] The Ultimate Guide to Driver Monitoring Systems in the Fleet Industry[Blog] How Does an Advanced Fleet Driver Monitoring System Work?

How can eye tracking technology help improve flight safety? In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of eye tracking and its profound impact on the aviation industry. We dove into the fundamentals of eye tracking, its crucial relevance in aviation, and present real-world case studies and testimonials showcasing its effectiveness. Virtual Attendees Learned: Eye Tracking 101:Applications in Aviation:Enhancing Safety:Human-Machine Interaction:Air Traffic Control:Links of Interest: Navigating Aviation with Precision: Unlocking Insights through Eye Tracking Technology, The Comprehensive Guide to Eye Tracking Technology for the Aviation Industry Humanizing Automation: Building Trust and Enhancing Safety through Eye Tracking in Aviation: Advancing Aviation Safety: The Impact of Eye Tracking in Pilot Education

Today’s episode features Kate Monninger, VP of Campaign Analytics at MarketCast. A versatile research analyst with fifteen years of experience in supplier-side strategic consulting, Kate has proven expertise as a research manager overseeing the design, implementation and analysis of quantitative and qualitative projects on global scale. Her current work focuses on theatrical campaign and franchise/brand messaging development, with experience also in the TV and OTT marketplaces. She has also conducted quant and qual research throughout North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. MarketCast is a data and technology-driven research and insights firm serving CMOs and marketers at the world’s top brands, media companies, tech platforms, and sports and video games organizations. The company brings together a unique mix of primary research, AI, and big data to deliver full-funnel transparency for marketers. Their insights guide critical marketing decisions, helping brands determine which audiences to prioritize and product benefits to communicate, in addition to developing, launching, and measuring brand and advertising campaigns across media platforms. Kate and I talked about some of her recent entertainment research she conducted on a very popular action movie franchise, including what she set out to understand from viewers of this content, the methodology of understanding user emotion, her learnings, and the data behind them. Listen to learn more. Links of interest: www.marketcast.comThe Science of Attention and Engagement: A Revolution in Media MetricsAffectiva Media Analytics for Entertainment Content Testing:The New Affectiva Attention Metric: A Deep Dive into AI and Human Behavior

Today’s episode features a recent livestream event where we hosted Solmaz Shahmehr, Smart Eye VP of Research Instruments. We had a quick chat about the fundamentals of eye tracking, applications in aviation, and how eye tracking can help improve flight safety through pilot training research and future aircraft design. Let’s listen in to learn more Solmaz has been with Smart Eye since 2009 in different capacities – she is responsible for directing the Research Instruments organization, and charged with delivering a sustainable, profitable business model there. She also leads global sales, product development and product management, marketing, support & ops. Links of interest: The Comprehensive Guide to Eye Tracking Technology for the Aviation IndustryNavigating Aviation with Precision: Unlocking Insights through Eye Tracking TechnologyHow to Improve Flight Safety with Eye Tracking: Pilot Training and Simulation:Elevating Flight Safety and Performance: The Power of Eye Tracking Technology

Today’s episode features Matt Strafuss, Director of Product and Customer Solutions at Affectiva (now a Smart Eye company). Matt has been with Affectiva for almost 10 years in various roles. Affectiva, pioneer of Emotion AI, was acquired by Smart Eye in 2021 and has since continued its strong brand presence in the media analytics space. With a degree in Physics and Computer Science, Matt has worked on everything from software development, project management, customer success, and everything in between. His deep expertise in the space made him a natural candidate to interview about the new Affectiva attention metric, which represents a culmination of the Smart Eye eye tracking tech and Affectiva Emotion AI just announced. Matt and I talked about the development of this metric, how its differentiated from other “Attention” measurement solutions on the market, some high-level mechanics on how it works and where we may be going in the future. Listen in to learn more. Links of Interest: Affectiva Emotion AI Media Analytics:Press Release: Affectiva Announces New Emotion AI Attention Metric with Smart Eye’s Sophisticated Eye Tracking Technology:Blog: The Science of Attention and Engagement: A Revolution in Media Metrics:

Today’s episode features Senior Neuroscience Product Specialist at iMotions, Nam Nguyen. With over 15 years of experience shaping cutting-edge research across diverse industries, Nam’s background encompasses everything from military and healthcare technologies, automotive UX, game design, and academic research. His expertise is matched only by his passion for sensors and technology. Currently advising research programs at iMotions, he brings cognitive neuroscience methodology to the forefront, backed by a history of rigorous scientific work and multiple peer-reviewed publications. Nam and I talked about aviation and how cutting-edge technology like eye tracking and biometrics are revolutionizing the aviation industry. Having gained insights from pilots and exploring applications in flight safety, training, and more over the years - from Smart Eye Pro eye tracking to emotion analysis - we covered how iMotions enhances aviation tasks, monitors human-machine interaction, and ensures pilot readiness in the face of automation. Join us as we gain insights into the intersections of neuroscience and technology for aviation: Let’s listen in to learn more. Links of interest: - [eBook] The Comprehensive Guide to Eye Tracking Technology for the Aviation Industry - [Blog] The Power of Multimodal Research: iMotions and the Future of Human Behavior Insights with Eye Tracking Technology - [Blog] How Are Simulations Used in Human Behavior Research

Today’s episode features the Founder & CEO @iMotions, and member of the Executive Management team in Smart Eye Group, Peter Hartzbech. Peter is an entrepreneur who is driven by using technology to make the world a better place. His company, iMotions, is a fully-integrated, hardware-agnostic software platform that allows researchers to use the power of any neuroscience technology, as well as traditional surveys and focus groups, to gain unparalleled insight into what people actual think and feel. Their customers use iMotions for everything from diagnosis of neurological diseases such as Parkinson, Schizophrenia, Autism and Alzheimers to personnel training, UX testing, advertising and military human research. Peter and I talked about the future of biometric research, the cutting-edge advancements and trends that are reshaping the field, uncovering new possibilities and applications. We discussed the groundbreaking development of web-based eye tracking and its implications for attention measurement and eye movement metrics. Peter will also shed light on the power of multi-modality, combining biometric signals to gain a comprehensive understanding of human behavior, as well as the exciting world of real-time analysis and its transformative impact on biometric research. Let’s listen in to learn more. Links of interest: The Future of Eye Tracking:https://imotions.com/blog/learning/product-news/the-future-of-eye-tracking/Multimodal biometric data collection of interpersonal communication: https://imotions.com/blog/multimodal-biometric-data-collection-of-interpersonal-communication/ Smart Eye and iMotionsCES 2023:

Today’s episode features Dr. Bryan Reimer, Research Scientist at the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics and MIT AgeLab, specializing in driver safety and mobility. With extensive experience in driver behavior research and a multidisciplinary approach, Dr. Reimer's work addresses the challenges of driver attention management, distraction, automation, and advanced driver assistance systems. His research informs technology development, business strategy, and public policy, making him a leading expert in the field. We talked about the latest advancements in mitigating driver distractions through improved driver support, highlighting the role of vision sensor technology in enabling OEMs to make better decisions in supporting drivers. He emphasized the importance of effectively utilizing the information collected by driver monitoring systems to enhance driver support and provided examples of positive reinforcement techniques that can positively impact driver behavior. Let’s listen in to learn more. Links of interest: Dr. Bryan Reimer’s bio: Driver response and recovery following automation initiated disengagement in real-world hands-free driving: Characterizing driver speeding behavior when using partial-automation in real-world drivingEvaluating and Rating the Safety Benefits of Advanced Vehicle Technologies: Developing a Transparent Approach and Consumer Messaging to Maximize Benefit