What if the secret to AI success isn't about being more machine-like — but about being more authentically human?

In this episode of Humans Behind the Metrics, Charlene Ormo sits down with Saren Sakurai, a creative strategist with a rare blend of left-brain clarity and right-brain magic. He's helped early-stage startups find their voice and guided SaaS companies through pivots that actually work.

But here's what most people don't know: Saren spent over a decade architecting award-winning campaigns for Fortune 100 brands like Coca-Cola, Sony Pictures, and Cisco — launching Sprite's digital presence and reimagining how massive brands connect with people.

Now, he's applying that same creative firepower to AI. Not just as a tool, but as a mindset.

Saren shares why treating AI like a relationship (not a transaction) changes everything, how to infuse humanity into automated processes, and why going broad beats going deep in the age of artificial intelligence.

If you're trying to figure out where AI fits in your growth strategy without losing your soul — this episode breaks it all down.

"Don't believe the hype. Think about the practical. The more you use it, the more you'll see that there's just a certain point where it can't pass humans."

- Saren Sakurai

Meet Saren Sakurai -- In 5 Fun Facts

• Solid background in Liberal Arts

Saren's father was a liberal arts teacher, and that broad foundation shaped his entire approach — leading him to become one of the most cognitively diverse marketers in tech today.

• The Nike Connection.

After two years in Japan, Saren set his sights on Nike and spent months trying to get in the door. His persistence paid off, leading to work during the Sydney Olympics with the best creative minds in the industry.

• Fortune 100 Campaign Architect.

Before AI was even a buzzword, Saren was building integrated digital campaigns for massive brands — launching Sprite's digital presence and reimagining Miracle Whip's entire brand experience.

• Early AI Adopter.

Saren got his AI education working at Cylance, one of the first companies to apply AI to cybersecurity, giving him years of behind-the-scenes experience before ChatGPT hit the scene.

• The Relationship Builder.

For Saren, AI isn't about transactions — it's about building genuine working relationships with intelligent tools that remember, learn, and grow alongside you.

[02:30] - From Liberal Arts to Marketing: The Power of Going Broad

Discover how Saren's diverse educational background became his secret weapon in navigating everything from Nike campaigns to AI strategy — and why breadth beats depth in today's rapidly changing landscape.

[08:45] - The Nike Journey: Breaking Into the Big Leagues

Learn about Saren's persistence in landing his dream job at Nike, and the valuable advice he received about "playing in the minor leagues" before making it to the majors.

[12:20] - Early AI Exposure: Learning from the Inside Out

Explore Saren's experience at Cylance, where he got an inside look at AI applications in cybersecurity long before the current AI boom — and how that shaped his practical approach.

[18:10] - Beyond the Hype: The Reality of AI Implementation

Cut through the fear and overhype surrounding AI with Saren's grounded perspective on what AI can and can't do, and why humans remain central to the equation.

[29:40] - The RAG Revolution: Training AI on Your...