In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of synthetic research with Hugo Alves, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at Synthetic Users. With a unique background spanning clinical psychology, academic research, and product management, Hugo shares how his platform uses AI personas to simulate human behavior for product testing and user research without actual users.
We explore how language models can effectively role-play specific personas with realistic personalities, biases, and decision-making patterns. Hugo explains the technology behind creating diverse synthetic users and why these AI personas can provide valuable product feedback that closely mirrors real human responses.
Hugo shares insights on how their platform handles cognitive biases, emotional reactions, and decision-making processes to create realistic simulations. We discuss the differences between aligned and unaligned models, and how shuffling between different providers helps create more authentic responses that reflect the diversity of human opinions.
The conversation also covers practical applications of synthetic research for message testing, usability testing, and product development. Hugo addresses criticisms of "research without users" and explains why synthetic research can be a powerful complement to traditional user research methods, especially in early stages of product development.
Whether you're a product manager, marketer, or UX researcher, this episode offers valuable insights into how AI is transforming user research and opening new possibilities for testing ideas quickly and efficiently.
Enjoy!