Alex Andreyev of Evidnt On How Artificial Intelligence Can Solve Business Problems
An Interview With Chad Silverstein - May 29, 2025
Less Spreadsheet Time, More Strategy Time: The objective isn’t simply to create better dashboards — it’s to have fewer dashboards overall. AI provides answers more rapidly, enabling us to dedicate more time to asking better questions.
Intoday’s tech-driven world, artificial intelligence has become a key enabler of business success. But the question remains — how can businesses effectively harness AI to address their unique challenges while staying true to ethical principles? To explore this topic further, we are interviewing Alex Andreyev of Evidnt.
Alex Andreyev is the CEO and Co-founder of Evidnt, a data and analytics platform that provides deep sales insights and analytics for CPG brands. Alex is a known innovator and leader, having developed the first multicultural data platform for Gravity, which was later acquired by Dentsu. He also contributed to the development of IPG’s maturity canvas and led data, analytics, and programmatic teams for major companies such as Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson, Sara Lee, Este Lauder, Darden, IBM, and AMEX. Alex is recognized as one of the foremost thought leaders in the retail and CPG data development and management space.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path in AI?
Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to land in entrepreneurial roles — even within large organizations. About 10 years ago, I found myself working at the forefront of automated media buying at a major agency. So when AI tools started to become more accessible to the public, I was instantly curious. We began experimenting with content creation using those early tools, just to explore what was possible. As AI evolved, so did our approach. We started applying it internally — automating some of our processes, generating content, and eventually using it to make complex retail data more useful and accessible. The common thread has always been: how do we use AI to simplify the complex, speed up decision-making, and unlock new value for our teams and clients?
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started working with artificial intelligence?
Honestly, the most interesting story isn’t even from work. I have a young daughter, and my wife doesn’t speak Ukrainian — my native language. There aren’t many Ukrainian children’s books available here in the States, so I started using AI to help me write bilingual storybooks for her. It’s been one of the most personal and meaningful uses of AI in my life. It’s not just about language learning — it’s about preserving culture, building connections, and creating something special for my family family.
You are a successful leader in the AI space. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
The first trait is curiosity. I’ve always been someone who wants to understand how things work — and then figure out how to improve them. Curiosity is what led me to test new tools and experiment while AI was still a question mark for most people. The second trait is conviction. If you truly believe in where the puck is going, you have to skate there — even if others don’t see it yet. That mindset has helped me build things before they were obvious, such as using AI in performance marketing long before it became mainstream. The third trait is adaptability. Things break. Tests fail. Assumptions get proven wrong. Being willing to say, “Okay, that didn’t work — what can we learn from it?” has been significant, especially in a field like AI where the only constant is change.
Let’s jump to the primary focus of our interview. Can you share a specific example of how you or your organization used AI to solve a major business challenge? What was the problem, and how did AI help address it?
We sit on billions of dollars in transaction data across tens of thousands of stores. Traditionally, analyzing this kind of data would take weeks and even longer to translate into action. The problem is that trends in CPG move much faster than that. Social media, seasonality, competitive activity — everything shifts overnight. AI has changed the game for us and our brand clients. We now leverage it to detect anomalies and identify trends in near real-time, helping our clients make quick business and marketing decisions. It’s not just about speed; it’s about highlighting what truly matters and giving brands the confidence to act on it.
What are some of the common misconceptions you’ve encountered about using AI in business? How do you address those misconceptions?
The biggest concern is the fear that AI will replace jobs. My view is the opposite — AI won’t replace people, but it will raise the bar. Think of it like this: the “bell curve” of creative or strategic output will shift. More work will be solid, and more ideas will be usable — but at the same time, everything might start to feel a little… similar. That’s where human creativity, strategy, and judgment become more critical than ever. The winners will be those who learn how to collaborate with AI, not compete against it.
In your opinion, what is the most significant way AI can make a positive impact on businesses today?
It gives us time back. We’ll be able to solve problems faster, automate repetitive tasks, and spend more time truly thinking, creating, and enjoying the work we do. I genuinely believe this will lead us to a four-day workweek in the near future without sacrificing output or effectiveness.
Ok, let’s dive deeper. Based on your experience and research, can you please share “5 Ways AI Can Solve Complex Business Problems”? These can be strategies, insights, or tools that companies can use to make the most of AI in addressing their challenges. If possible, please share examples or stories for each.
Speed-to-Insight: AI enables us to transition from raw data to recommendations in seconds. We’ve utilized it to analyze vast datasets, identify anomalies, and transform insights into action more quickly than any analyst team could accomplish independently.
Faster Prototyping & Testing: Whether it’s product mockups or campaign copy, AI empowers teams to test and iterate without the delays of full-scale production.
Streamlining Internal Operations: From automating reports to enhancing resource planning, AI minimizes busywork, allowing individuals to concentrate on high-impact tasks.
Idea Generation & Brainstorming: AI offers diverse perspectives, which helps ignite new ideas. It serves as a tool for expanding — not replacing — human creativity.
Less Spreadsheet Time, More Strategy Time: The objective isn’t simply to create better dashboards — it’s to have fewer dashboards overall. AI provides answers more rapidly, enabling us to dedicate more time to asking better questions.
How can smaller businesses or startups, with limited budgets, begin to integrate AI into their operations effectively?
Focus on where you’re wasting the most time on or don’t have enough time for but are important for growth. For many small businesses, this includes content, marketing, and reporting. Today’s AI tools can assist you in writing newsletters, generating social media posts, creating visuals, and tracking your performance — all without the need for a full-time team. You don’t require a data science team to begin. You just need to be open to experimenting.
What advice would you give to business leaders who are hesitant to adopt AI because of fear, misconceptions, or lack of understanding?
Consider what happened with U.S. automakers — they had an opportunity to lead in EVs and hybrids, but they hesitated, and now they’re trying to catch up. AI is similar. The only thing to fear is falling behind. You don’t need to have all the answers — you just need the curiosity to begin exploring.
In your opinion, how will AI continue to shape the business world over the next 5–10 years? Are there any trends or emerging innovations you’re particularly excited about?
We’re already witnessing a shift. People are moving away from traditional search engines and using AI to obtain more tailored answers. This transition — from “search” to “ask” — will transform how businesses connect with consumers. Whether you’re a brand, publisher, or marketer, understanding how to be visible in AI-powered tools like GPT will be just as crucial as being present in search engines.
How do you think the use of AI to solve business problems influences relationships with customers, employees, and the broader community?
Ideally, it provides everyone more time for what truly matters: less time gathering data and more time generating ideas. Less time on status updates and more time devoted to strategic thinking. AI should enhance our work experience, making it feel more fulfilling — not more robotic. That’s the guiding principle.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people through AI, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
I’d love to encourage the next generation to use AI not as a crutch, but as a learning companion. Don’t just ask for answers; ask to understand. AI can be an incredible partner in curiosity, and I hope that’s how my kids — and their generation — grow up using it it.
How can our readers further follow you online?
Follow our insights and posts on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/evidnt), and feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn (https://linkedin.com/in/alexandreyev).
This was great. Thank you so much for the time you spent sharing with us.
