Dffrnt Website

Go back to resources

Checklist

Synthetic users are research instruments, not research participants

Presented by Dominira Saul at CapCHI in September 2026, this deck reviews the latest evidence on AI-generated synthetic users, shares two DFFRNT experiments comparing them with real participants, and offers practical frameworks for deciding when they help and when they fall short.

What it covers

A practical guide to where synthetic users help in UX research (generating hypotheses, stress-testing protocols, and extending existing research) and where they fall short. It includes a validity ladder and six rules for using them responsibly.

We’d like to stay in touch with you.



Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Download Resource



Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Experiences we have created

Innovation Design

Import Experience Redesign – CFIA

Redesigned CFIA’s digital tools to simplify import processes, reducing contact centre load and improving compliance.

Customer Experience

Top Task Management for UX – Cisco

A UX overhaul using top task analysis significantly improved Cisco's customer support, reducing support tickets and boosting task completion.

Innovation Design

Driving EV Adoption Through Design – Natural Resources Canada

DFFRNT designed a decision support tool to guide federal fleet managers through the complex process of electric vehicle procurement.

We live at the intersection of design, technology, business and humans. We diverge and converge, and go deep to provide businesses with the research needed for informed decision-making, from behavioural insights to value models.

Let’s build a strategy that delivers value to your customers and your business.



Thank you! Your submission has been received!



Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.