making sense of
artificial intelligence
Activating the collective intelligence of humans and machines
because digital transformation is
actually about people
creating

Sonder Studio specializes in activating the collective intelligence of humans and machines in a complex world.

Through our research, strategy, design, and education services, we help organizations activate the collective intelligence of humans and AI, co-create solutions to complex problems, craft data-driven decision making practices, and design AI products and services.

Let’s explore how we can help you achieve your AI goals

1

Research
Science-based business research on the future of AI, generative AI, and foundation models.

2

Speaking
Inspiring humans to succeed in a generative AI, data-centric, complex world. 

3

Workshops
Courses and workshops on AI, generative AI, complex problem solving, and decision making.

Research

We are grounded in the science of artificial intelligence, collective intelligence, complexity, data science, neuroscience, and psychology. We absorb the research at the frontier of the industry so that you can see the future, faster. We distill complex industry dynamics into plain English “so what?” We synthesize so you have the strategic insight you need to turn ideas into action. We deliver engaging and provocative writing and personal presentations, giving you access to executive-level expertise, world class analysis, and actionable strategic advice.

Speaking

Our provocative and engaging speaking engagements help people make sense of AI. We help people see the extraordinary potential and perils, leaving them empowered but cautioned. We speak to small and large audiences, from the corporate C-Suite to company-wide. We work with small organizations, the Fortune 500, government agencies, and higher education. One recent attendee said, "This was the best keynote presentation—I understand AI now!"

Workshops

We are experts in helping non-technical people understand artificial intelligence. We are educators but we are also design practitioners so we understand what it takes to create AI systems that work for people and enhance collective intelligence. Our programs cover the science of AI, the technology of AI, applying AI, the risks of AI, and the future of AI. One recent attendee said: "This was the best workshop I've attended in my 18 years at the company. Thank you!"

Helen and Dave have a unique ability to describe what it means to be human in the age of AI. They prompt an audience to think beyond the technology and to consider how technology can be both humanizing and dehumanizing. They are masters in translating complex issues into compelling, relatable stories, and theirs was the first presentation about AI that reassured me that, yes, we can do this, a beautiful future is possible with AI.

Tim Leberecht, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, House of Beautiful Business

Featured Insights

Research and insights on the collective intelligence of humans and machines in complex systems

Abstract image of a classroom

Rethinking Academic Integrity: Leveraging AI as a Catalyst for Critical Thinking and Metacognitive Growth

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Generative AI in higher education

Elevating or Endangering Higher Education: The Dual Power of Generative AI

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A futuristic office scene

Decoding the AI Future: How generative AI reshapes the world of work

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Explore exploit dilemma: a person choosing between two paths pictured in the desert southwest

Make Better Decisions with Generative AI: Navigating the Explore/Exploit Tradeoff

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Teaching a workshop on generative AI

Case study: Leveraging generative AI to enhance data-driven decision making at a global retail company

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Sonder Studio teaching a workshop on complexity and metaphors

Case study: Harnessing the Power of Metaphors and System Understanding at Company X

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“The incredible workshop session led by Sonder Studio at the 2020 Talent Summit was not only thought provoking, engaging, and innovative, but came with practical takeaways. Feedback on the workshop from summit attendees was excellent. The Edwards knocked it out of the park!“

Todd Nell, Director, State of Oregon Workforce and Talent Development Board

“The incredible workshop session led by Sonder Studio at the 2020 Talent Summit was not only thought provoking, engaging, and innovative, but came with practical takeaways. Feedback on the workshop from summit attendees was excellent. The Edwards knocked it out of the park!“

Todd Nell, Director, State of Oregon Workforce and Talent Development Board

“Helen and Dave were great workshop facilitators and our diverse group—from AI novices to experts—was able to learn valuable AI insights and create new ideas for ethical AI in education.”

Taylor Bohn, Partnerships, National Head Start Association

“Helen and Dave delivered a brilliant session for our 500-person advertising team at The New York Times. For businesses not inherently rooted in technology, there is perhaps no phenomena as alluring in its potential, inevitable in its advance and utterly terrifying by virtue of its technical and moral complexity as artificial intelligence. Dave and Helen delivered a uniquely engaging session that addressed this exact complexity and everyone came away from the workshop more optimistic about the role AI will play in their business moving forward.“

Zazie Pence, Talent and Culture, The New York Times

“Helen and Dave are two of the most fascinating human beings I’ve crossed paths with in this industry and are well worth following.”

Josh Lovejoy, Design, Google

“I have been involved in executive development and digital transformation for a number of years and can safely say that Helen and Dave's ability to make AI simple and accessible is outstanding. They break down technical barriers so executives can understand new strategic opportunities and the extent to which machines will change people and the way we work.”

Paulo Pisano, Chief People Officer, Galp

“Helen and Dave have a unique ability to describe what it means to be human in the age of AI. They prompt an audience to think beyond the technology and to consider how technology can be both humanizing and dehumanizing. They are masters in translating complex issues into compelling, relatable stories, and theirs was the first presentation about AI that reassured me that, yes, we can do this, a beautiful future is possible with AI.”

Tim Leberecht, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, House of Beautiful Business

“Helen and Dave have a unique understanding of AI technology, its business opportunities and its effect on people and society. They have a knack for pulling disparate pieces together in a way that helps people understand the bigger picture.”

Kevin Delaney, Co-President and Editor-in-Chief, Quartz

Rethinking Academic Integrity: Leveraging AI as a Catalyst for Critical Thinking and Metacognitive Growth

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Elevating or Endangering Higher Education: The Dual Power of Generative AI

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Decoding the AI Future: How generative AI reshapes the world of work

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Decoding the AI Future: Generative AI blurs traditional boundaries between human creativity and machine tasks

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Decoding the AI Future: Why it's important to understand which skills are complemented by generative AI

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Decoding the AI Future: How generative AI challenges the automation vs. augmentation debate

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Decoding the AI Future: How generative AI makes us more creative, caring, and connected

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Decoding the AI Future: What we've learned so far about how humans react to automation

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Decoding the AI Future: Is subpar automation the real culprit behind sluggish productivity growth?

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Decoding the AI Future: Programmers as the litmus test for generative AI's job influence

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Decoding the AI Future: The double-edged sword of AI complicates expertise while highlighting its significance

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Decoding the AI Future: The fluid boundaries of machines and human proficiency

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Decoding the AI Future: How to think about job automation studies

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Decoding the AI Future: Further reading—the productivity paradox

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Decoding the AI Future: Resources for the series

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Make Better Decisions with Generative AI: Navigating the Explore/Exploit Tradeoff

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Case study: Leveraging generative AI to enhance data-driven decision making at a global retail company

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Case study: Harnessing the Power of Metaphors and System Understanding at Company X

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Case study: Generative AI for the global marketing team at a global bank

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Mind for our Minds: Culture

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Announcing [Your Team's] Generative AI Summit

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Research brief: C-Suite Strategy Playbook for Generative AI

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Mind for our Minds: Meaning

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Mind for our Minds: Introduction

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Research brief: Our hot takes on Stanford HAI's AI Index Report 2023

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Research brief: aiOS—Foundation Models

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Research brief: OpenAI has demonstrated GPT-4. Here’s our take.

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Want to make ChatGPT work for you? Aim for increasing the collective intelligence.

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Three Reasons You Should Care About ChatGPT (If You Don’t Already)

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Unlocking the benefits of data-driven decision making

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How to get your decision making unstuck

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Case study: Company X knows technology needs to be human

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Case study: Helping Company X build more responsible AI

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Case study: Helping leaders at Company X use data and AI for good

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How to make better leadership decisions

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Case study: Helping People at Company X Better Solve Complex Problems

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Case study: Building A Data-Driven Decision-Making Culture At Company X

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Case study: R/GA is Even More Creative with Inspirational, Inclusive Design

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Case study: AI-Readiness is an Imperative at The New York Times

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Case study: Developing an AI-Ready Workforce for the State of Oregon

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How to make better creative decisions

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Case study: Designing an AI-powered knowledge management system

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Case study: Designing an AI-powered sports app

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How to define a problem or decision

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How to make better happiness decisions

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Case study: Designing a data portal for the venture capital industry

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Why data makes decisions harder

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Ethical AI Whitepaper

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AI recruitment toolkit

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AI Is Changing Strategy, Competition And Our Time

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AI should account for what humans want

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AI that is too fast will discourage people

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How to stay creative in the data age

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How to think about intuition in the data age

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How to design a data culture in two steps

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How to get the most from data— use it to update your intuition

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How to design culture in the age of AI

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How to build AI that humans want

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How to design human-centered, not human futures, AI

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How to map human and machine roles

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The quest to make AI less prejudiced

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AI’s natural language frontier—context is king but just how big will models get?

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Why all AI design should include power mapping

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The Paradox Of Personalization. How AI and personal agency conflict

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How to think about personalization and not over-personalize

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How giving yourself up to AI is an existential problem

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If we want to stop human downgrading, we need a new paradigm for AI

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How to make ethical AI without stymying technologists

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The five components of AI best practice are about people

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How to know if AI is the right solution

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The psychological phenomenon that every AI product designer needs to understand

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This is how people like machines to explain themselves

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If an AI assistant disappoints, people give up

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People like advice from AI

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Design more valuable AI by understanding how humans think

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Is AI a solution looking for a problem?

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Why human-centered AI design matters

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Human-centered AI for product managers and innovators

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Sonder Creations

Decision Making Workshop Book
Decision Making Workshop Book
Decision Making Workshop Book

Helping you achieve your goals

If these opportunities could unlock potential in your business, reach out and tell us your story.

What if...

You could increase financial benefits from investment in AI and big data?

Your entire team knew how and when to use data in decision-making?

You could create new customer services that use AI in ways that would delight your customers?

You could interpret, visualize and tell stories with data?

Let’s connect!

Our Clients