Ep 35: Beyond Hype: Real Ways AI Is Changing How We Shop Online, with Simon Yencken

In this episode of The AI Grapple, Kate vanderVoort is joined by Simon Yencken, Founder and CEO of Fanplayr.

What if you could deliver hyper-personalised experiences that delight customers without creeping them out?

Simon is a true pioneer at the intersection of AI, behavioural data, and e-commerce. His career has taken him from global finance and SaaS to founding Fanplayr, a company that's helping brands deliver smarter, faster, privacy-respecting customer experiences.

We dig into how AI is reshaping e-commerce, why privacy-first strategies are critical for survival, and what the future holds for businesses brave enough to embrace the next wave of AI innovation.

If you’re in marketing, business, or tech — this is an episode you won't want to miss.

 

🎯 Key Highlights

✔️ Simon's Journey to Fanplayr
From legal partner in Australia, to global finance at Reuters, through the dot-com boom, SaaS success stories — and finally founding Fanplayr to bring real-time optimisation to e-commerce.

✔️ What Fanplayr Actually Does 

Using patented segmentation technology and AI-driven personalization to enhance customer experiences, increase conversion rates, and boost lifetime value — all built on first-party data.

 

✔️ The Rise of Privacy-First Personalisation
Simon explains how Fanplayr helps businesses move beyond third-party cookies, using tools like Privacy ID to comply with GDPR and still deliver tailored experiences.

✔️ How AI is Revolutionising Online Merchandising
Beyond basic recommendations, Fanplayr’s AI matches users with exactly what they want — even before they know they want it — using machine learning and personalisation engines.

 

✔️ The "Creepiness" Factor
We discuss how to personalise without feeling intrusive — and why transparency and trust will define the next decade of online customer relationships.

 

✔️ Regional Differences: US vs Europe
Simon shares why privacy regulations are tougher in Europe, and how businesses are adapting differently in the US and UK markets.

✔️ ChatGPT, Hype vs Reality
Simon shares his take on large language models like ChatGPT, and why the future of AI won't be one single exponential curve — but rather a series of powerful "S-curves" as new breakthroughs emerge.

✔️ AI’s Impact on SaaS and Business Models

Why the SaaS pricing and licensing world is ripe for disruption — and how traditional tech giants will have to evolve or risk being left behind.

✔️ Avoiding the AI Bubble
Simon warns about the huge number of AI startups building on shaky ground — and shares why sustainable innovation will be what separates winners from losers.

✔️ What Excites Simon About the Future
AI is at the start of a genuine tech revolution — and it’s opening opportunities that are bigger and more exciting than anything since the rise of the internet.

📌 Connect with Simon Yencken:

• Visit Fanplayr.com: Learn more about Simon’s company and solutions.
  
• Connect with Fanplayr on LinkedIn

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