April 2025

Elevate your research: This hands-on course shows you how to harness cutting-edge AI tools and make AI your powerful partner.

John Whalen, PhD

AI for Customer Research: Future-Proof Your UX & Product Skills

Microsoft

IKEA

Canva

Deloitte

As a UX researcher, you know that real insights come from empathy, deep observation, and critical thinking. Yet today's market demands you work smarter—and AI is playing a leading role in top research teams. This course is designed for researchers, whether in-house or freelance, who want to integrate AI into their workflow without sacrificing the uniquely human insights that set you apart. In this immersive, interactive course, discover how AI is revolutionizing research by delivering rapid insights, unprecedented scale, and innovative techniques like synthetic users. You'll be introduced to groundbreaking tools while mastering practical prompt engineering that you can use immediately. WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT Practical, Step-by-Step GuidanceYou’ll experience a hands-on, interactive curriculum that demystifies AI for UX research. Every module is designed to guide you through real-world techniques — like meta-prompting and AI interview moderation — explained in clear language with relatable examples. You'll learn how to apply these methods directly to your projects, making the transition to AI seamless and manageable. Time-Saving Strategies:Discover proven methods to automate repetitive tasks such as AI-powered interviews and AI-enhanced analysis. But also learn when –&nbsp;and when not –&nbsp;to use them ... which is the real time savings! You’ll have more time to focus on strategic analysis and ensure that your valuable expertise drives your research outcomes. A Carefully Curated Set of Tools &amp; TechniquesInstead of sifting through an overwhelming array of AI tools, I've selected a handful of tools that: (a) we've used and tested, and (b) demonstrate what's possible throughout the research lifecycle ... so that you can quickly identify the right solutions for you. Real-World ExercisesEngage in live sessions and practical exercises that replicate the challenges you face in your everyday work. You’ll have opportunities to test AI techniques on actual research data, compare AI outputs, and receive feedback in real time. This immersive experience builds confidence and ensures you can replicate success in your own projects. Expert Guides &amp; Prompt LibrariesGain exclusive access to a library of expert guides. These detailed, step-by-step manuals walk you through every aspect of integrating AI into your research, covering topics such as:•&nbsp;AI-Powered Analysis: Rapidly process large qualitative datasets by surfacing themes and integrating multilingual and quantitative insights—with essential human oversight for validation and context.•&nbsp;Prompt Engineering: Craft detailed, context-rich prompts to streamline routine tasks, reduce bias, and uncover nuanced insights with concrete meta-prompts and examples.•&nbsp;AI-Moderated Interviews: Set up and refine AI-moderated research sessions for rapid, scalable, and ethically managed interviews, balancing automation with human oversight. •&nbsp;Leveraging Synthetic Users: Use artificial personas to quickly test ideas and simulate diverse scenarios, while combining synthetic feedback with real-user validation to capture authentic insights.•&nbsp;Future-Proofing Your UX Research Career: Understand how AI is reshaping UX research by comparing current practices with emerging trends, highlighting evolving skills and strategic insight synthesis. Community &amp; Expert SupportWhen you join the course, you’re not just accessing content—you’re joining an exclusive network of seasoned UX researchers. Benefit from direct access to John Whalen, PhD, and engage with peers who understand your challenges. This supportive community offers ongoing guidance, collaborative problem-solving, and the reassurance that you’re not navigating the AI landscape alone. WHY IT MATTERS Reclaim Your Time for Strategic WorkBy automating time-consuming tasks, you free up valuable hours that can be redirected to high-level analysis and high-value strategic work. This not only boosts productivity but also enables you to deliver richer insights and drive more value (ROI!). Enhance Your Expertise, Not Replace ItThe course addresses the core fear that AI might erode the human touch in research. Instead, it shows you how AI acts as an amplifier of your unique skills—allowing you to maintain the empathy, intuition, and critical thinking that only a seasoned researcher can provide. It’s about working smarter, not replacing what makes you irreplaceable. Overcome Overwhelm and Tool FatigueWith AI tools rapidly emerging, the landscape can be chaotic and intimidating. This course provides a curated, structured approach to learning AI for research. Gain clarity and confidence by focusing on proven, reliable techniques. Future-Proof Your CareerIn a rapidly evolving digital environment, staying ahead means continuously updating your skillset. By mastering AI tools tailored for research, you not only improve your current workflow but also secure your position as a forward-thinking leader. The skills you gain will ensure that your expertise remains indispensable—even as technology advances. Immediate, Tangible ROIThe benefits of this course are measurable from day one. With faster analysis, more accurate data synthesis, and streamlined workflows, you’ll see a direct impact on your research efficiency and quality. This immediate return on investment reinforces that learning AI isn’t just about staying current—it’s about dramatically enhancing your professional performance. WHAT MAKES THIS CLASS UNIQUE Exclusive Access &amp; Expert Guest SpeakersEnjoy trial access to exclusive, enterprise-grade AI platforms that aren’t always available publicly, and live guest sessions with the visionary founders of these tools. In May's cohort alone, you'll gain access to: Wondering, Listen Labs, Coloop, Marvin, NEXT, Vurvey and Synthetic Users. Founders will demonstrate their tools, provide research best practices, and share their insights into the future of research. Balanced Exposure to Specialized tools and Prompt Engineering for any LLMWhile you’ll explore new AI tools, you’ll also learn prompt engineering techniques that yield immediate, tangible benefits throughout your research lifecycle – great for professionals working with sensitive data and limited access to AI tools. Collaborative, Hands-On LearningParticipate in live workshops that combine expert guidance, interactive practice, and peer collaboration to solve real-world research challenges. Get your hands on these tools and discuss the experience with your peers. Sometimes the conversation gets very real about what works and doesn't work – something not typically shared elsewhere. COURSE FORMAT﻿⏰ Live Workshops: Four engaging 120-minute sessions per week featuring live demos, group activities, special guests and interactive discussions. Note: We do each session twice for your convenience. Once at 1-3pm EST and once 7-9pm EST – attend whichever you like! This is not only convenient but also makes the student-to-teacher ratios excellent for learning and individual attention. 💻 Practical Application: One hour per class of homework between sessions applying AI tools in real-world research scenarios. ❓ Weekly Q&amp;A Sessions: Live sessions for personalized support, immediate feedback, and extra guidance. 🎥 Recorded Sessions: Access all session recordings to revisit and solidify your learning at your own pace.

Gain a Powerful Research Partner: Elevate Your Work with AI

Researchers who want faster, more effective ways to uncover insights and to learn new techniques like synthetic users.

Product Managers and Designers seeking simple and rapid product discovery and concept validation techniques they can do themselves.

Leaders and Founders looking for efficient, data-driven decisions that keep them ahead of the curve. Prepare your new research operation.

This course is for

Outcomes

Transform your workflow by dramatically speeding up data collection and analysis. Leverage AI tools to scale your research, achieving faster insights and managing global studies with ease while maintaining high quality.

Accelerate & Scale Your Research

Integrate a select few, high-impact AI tools into your existing process— advanced AI prompting, AI-powered moderation, AI-enhanced analysis or synthetic users.

Enhance Your Workflow

Future-proof your career by mastering the latest techniques such as ai-moderation and synthetic uses, making your skills irreplacable.

Stay Ahead of the Curve

Connect with a network of UX researchers who are navigating the evolving AI landscape together, sharing insights and strategies in real time.

Join a Vibrant Community

Provide a brief description for each module as a way to sell the value of what students will be learning throughout the course.

First Module

Second Module

Third Module

Course syllabus

Meet your instructor

Chief Experience Officer at Customer Centric Solutions

Senior UX Researcher at American Chemical Society

Tuesdays

Test and master AI-powered tools for research design, recruiting, research moderation, data analysis, and reporting. Determine which tools are right for you.

Weekly projects

Optional time to meet with the session host and get 1:1 advice and support.

Office hours

Course schedule

This course builds on live workshops and hands-on projects

Active hands-on learning

You’ll be interacting with other learners through breakout rooms and project teams

Interactive and project-based

Join a community of like-minded people who want to learn and grow alongside you

Course completed by

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