Last night at Nobu, in a room humming with brainpower, ideas, and a decent helping of sushi, I had the pleasure of joining a remarkable session hosted by Lysbeth Fox and the fine folks at Fox Communications. The evening was billed as “The Paradox of Progress: Rediscovering Human Connection in the Age of AI.” And it delivered just that — and then some. Thought-provoking discussion, sharp insights, and just the right amount of philosophical spice.
Let me kick things off by thanking Fox for the invitation. You gathered some of the brightest minds in tech, brand, and human experience, poured a glass of perspective, and reminded us that while AI may now write our emails and curate our playlists, it still can’t pour a decent glass of wine — yet. There’s still hope for sommeliers everywhere.
AI, Authenticity, and the Slight Identity Crisis
From luxury consumer insights to deep fakes and “synthetic realities,” the evening tackled head-on the rising tension between technological progress and emotional presence. The brilliant Walter Pastorelli took us on a wild and well-articulated journey — one part cautionary tale, one part future-scented fortune cookie. If AI-generated voices can woo us (hello, Dan the chatbot heartthrob), and fake CFOs can trick banks out of $25 million, then we might want to start seriously questioning what real even means anymore.
Walter’s presentation really struck a chord with me — it was refreshingly aligned with my own views and talk on AI. And trust me, that doesn’t happen often. I don’t find many speakers in this space particularly riveting, either because they’re regurgitating outdated jargon, confusing correlation with causation, or veering off into philosophical ramblings that make your head hurt. Walter? He kept it sharp, current, and grounded. No hype, no fluff — just smart, clear thinking. After 30 years of riding the tech wave, I’ve learnt to separate the signal from the noise. Walter, to his credit, brought the signal.
What he captured so well is that in this brave new world, authenticity isn’t about origin anymore — it’s about experience. If it feels real, it is real. Terrifying? A bit. But also a game-changer, especially for brands who want to blend innovation with true human connection.
Luxury in the Time of Algorithms
Davin from Agility Research (not me, another charming Damon with a taste for insight) shared a deep dive into the mindset of today’s affluent consumers. They’re not just cautious spenders—they’re thoughtful experiencers. They travel less often, spend more when they do, and expect every detail to be as tailored as their suits.
And here’s the kicker: These high-net-worth individuals are leaning into AI. From virtual destination previews to algorithmically curated experiences, they’re seeking personalisation like never before — but they still crave the human touch. AI might suggest the villa in Tuscany, but someone better be on the other end with a hand-written welcome note and a bottle of Brunello.
Brands: Time to Get Personal (but Not Creepy)
The theme of “human connection” kept bubbling to the surface like a fine Champagne mousse throughout the panel. AI can scale content, speed up production, and personalise at scale — but if you want people to click, buy, believe, or belong, you’ve got to touch their hearts.
Whether you’re running a luxury house, a tech startup, or a TikTok influencer campaign, the message is clear: Don’t let the algorithm kill the art. Use AI to do more, but never at the cost of being human.
Final Thoughts (Before I Head Back for More Canapés)
AI isn’t the enemy of authenticity — laziness is. AI can boost creativity, elevate storytelling, and even deepen relationships when used with care. But it has to be led by humans who know what they’re doing — and why. That means humility, a sense of humour, and a good nose for truth.
To everyone I met last night — thank you for the inspiration, the big questions, and the even bigger laughs. And to Fox: hats off for hosting an evening that reminded us all that real connection is still the ultimate luxury in a world of synthetic everything.
