"Synthetic users: insights from designers’ interactions with persona-based chatbots" by (Eric) Heng Gu , Senthil Chandrasegaran and Peter Lloyd

Summary

This research paper from Delft University of Technology investigates the use of persona-based chatbots, termed "Synthetic Users," as a tool to aid designers in understanding user groups. The study compares designers' experiences using a Synthetic User, powered by a large language model (LLM), against those using traditional static persona summaries. Key findings reveal that while Synthetic Users encourage more sustained ideation, they don't demonstrably improve empathy or the diversity of design ideas. The authors explore the complexities of designer-AI interaction, highlighting unexpected biases and the need for refined Synthetic User design to better integrate with designers' existing cognitive processes and expectations. Ultimately, the paper advocates for a more nuanced approach to integrating AI into the design process, suggesting that Synthetic Users should complement, rather than replace, traditional persona methods.