Collaborating with AI as a teammate rather than a tool is reshaping how research teams approach qualitative analysis. This paper draws on six case studies from Stby, a design research agency, to share empirical evidence into this shift. The examples reveal how AI integration accelerates analysis, alters methods, reshapes team dynamics, and requires researchers to adopt new roles. Alongside opportunities, challenges have emerged around AI overload, trust gaps, participant privacy, and the development of early-career researchers. By experimenting with AI in both R&D and client projects, Stby fosters transparency, shared learning, and evolving workflows. These experiences highlight the practical impacts of AI on qualitative research and the cultural shifts needed to integrate it meaningfully. The paper advocates for researchers to treat AI as a collaborator, offering Stby’s journey as a starting point for navigating the complexities of human-AI collaboration in research.
