Enriching qualitative insights

21 November 2023

A recent roundtable discussion delved into the diverse landscape of AI's role in qualitative research, raising a multitude of questions and considerations.

2 min read
enriching qualitative insights

A recent roundtable discussion delved into the diverse landscape of AI's role in qualitative research, raising a multitude of questions and considerations. Among the prominent concerns was the observation that AI, specifically GPT, had a tendency to overexaggerate certain answers within the dataset. This highlighted the importance of refining AI models for qualitative research, particularly in minimizing exaggerations.

Ownership of data emerged as a central issue. Participants voiced apprehensions about sensitive intellectual property potentially becoming part of a vast data pool. This concern emphasized the need for robust data security and transparency in AI-driven qualitative research initiatives.

Language diversity also occupied a pivotal position in the dialogue. Participants questioned the accuracy of AI models on non-English datasets, reflecting the growing need for multilingual AI solutions to ensure inclusivity and reliability. 

The participants demonstrated a clear interest in leveraging AI to generate more valuable insights and tackle uncharted territory in qualitative research. AI's ability to predict 'what-if scenarios,' generate hypotheses, and even conduct 'lie detector' style analysis was seen as transformative in enriching research outcomes. Furthermore, AI was viewed as a tool that could centralize research methodologies and streamline the decision-making process, making it more efficient and structured.

In conclusion, the roundtable discussion underlined the dynamic landscape of AI's role in qualitative research. While there are evident challenges, the potential for AI to unlock new insights and enhance decision-making processes was met with enthusiasm. The road ahead involves addressing concerns related to data ownership, language diversity, and refining AI models to ensure they are more nuanced and reliable in non-English datasets.

Nikki Lavoie
Vice-President at ESOMAR, Founder & CEO at MindSpark Research