What You Need to Know About the Future of AI from MRS AI Conference

This quick summary highlights the most valuable learnings, helping you stay informed on how AI is shaping the future of research, decision-making, and innovation. The 2025 MRS AI Conference brought together industry leaders to discuss the latest advancements, challenges, and opportunities in AI for market research.

We know that for busy professionals in FMCG R&D, attending these events and keeping up with these insights can be a challenge. So, Hannah Over, Innovation Manager at Blue Yonder, has condensed her top three key takeaways for you. She is passionate about innovation and her quote is a good summary of where we’re at today: “AI is a powerful enabler. It’s the intern, not the boss.”

1: AI is here to stay, and it’s enhancing our work

A key takeaway was the widespread adoption of AI across the industry. It was exciting to see how researchers have embraced it – testing, learning, and refining, just as good researchers should! AI is proving to be a powerful tool for driving insights and innovation, enhancing our daily work, rather than replacing it. With its rapid evolution, it’s clear that AI is here to stay, making it essential for us to stay ahead of future advancements.

2: Honest conversations about AI’s challenges and limitations are key

The honesty in the room was truly refreshing. No one claimed AI to be a one-size-fits-all solution, and it was rewarding to hear open discussions about both the challenges and how to overcome them. The conversation remained positive and open-minded throughout the day, with attendees sharing their experiences without prescribing a “right” or “wrong” way to use AI. While everyone is integrating AI to varying degrees, we’re all still learning and adapting. This open exchange of insights made for an energising and valuable experience.

To combat the limitations and challenges of AI, education must be at the core of our AI journey – not just in understanding what AI can do, but in learning how to critically assess its outputs. This is crucial. AI can make mistakes, fabricate information, and even generate falsehoods despite safeguards (which, ironically, is quite human-like!). In an era of convenience, we must resist the temptation to accept AI-generated insights at face value. Instead, we need to challenge, fact-check, and think critically about the results AI produces.

This responsibility extends beyond the present – it’s vital that both current and future generations are trained to question and verify AI-driven information. With AI rapidly becoming a staple of everyday life, integrating this mindset into education will ensure we learn not just how to use AI effectively, but how to work alongside it responsibly.

3: The human touch remains irreplaceable

We’ve all heard this before, but it’s worth repeating – our uniquely human qualities, like honesty, empathy, and contextual understanding, cannot be replicated by AI. While AI operates within set rules and relies on the data it’s given, humans are naturally unpredictable and emotional. As of now, AI simply cannot replicate genuine human emotion. That’s why it’s essential to strike the right balance – blending the human touch with AI-driven solutions to uphold best practices in research and ensure truly meaningful insights.

Summary

These takeaways highlight the importance of balancing AI’s potential with human intelligence, collaboration, and critical thinking to ensure we use it responsibly and effectively.

Hannah Over, Innovation Manager at Blue Yonder expresses: “We believe that AI is a powerful enabler. It’s the intern, not the boss.”

Let’s continue the conversation – how is AI impacting your work, and what challenges or opportunities do you see ahead? Get in touch to share your thoughts or explore how we can work together. If you’d like to discuss anything further, you can contact me at [email protected]