Customer Experience in 2026: Balancing AI Innovation with Human Connection

Customer Experience in 2026: Balancing AI Innovation with Human Connection

Author: Kantar & Saïd Business School, Oxford University January 7, 2026 Duration: 24:27

In the age of AI, trust and human connection are the new foundations of customer experience.


The rules are changing: technology is reshaping how brands interact with consumers, but it is human connection, trust, and transparency that will define the winners. In this episode, Jane Ostler talks with Isabelle Zdatny and Amy Cashman. They discuss how organisations must move beyond captive audiences and transactional relationships, earning loyalty through responsible practices and meaningfully different experiences. In an era where everything can be commoditised except the human touch, brands who deliver on their promises and build emotional connections will stand out. 


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How do you separate the fleeting trends from the fundamental shifts that will reshape business? Future Proof is a conversation built on that very question, born from a unique partnership between the rigorous academic world of Oxford University's Saïd Business School and the ground-level market intelligence of Kantar. This isn't about quick tips; it's about deeper understanding. Each episode sits down with a leading thinker or practitioner for an honest, nuanced exploration of the forces changing how brands connect with people. You'll hear discussions that cut through the noise, challenging popular assumptions with data and scholarly insight. We examine everything from the practical implications of new technology to evolving consumer behaviors, always with an eye on what it means for long-term strategy. The goal is to provide a clearer, more evidence-based perspective for leaders who want to make decisions that last. Tune in for a podcast that values substance over hype, offering a rare blend of intellectual depth and real-world application to help you think differently about marketing's future.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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