How we know synthetic personas really work
January 29, 2026, at 10 a.m./ 3 p.m. U.K.
Join us for a discussion of the evidence behind the usability and validity of insights from samples of synthetic survey-takers.
Key topics we will address include:
- Can synthetic personas have emotional reactions?
- Can synthetic personas reflect cultural differences?
- How do results compare between samples of humans and samples of synthetic personas in parallel tests?
- Are there things synthetic personas can do better than humans? When should you NOT use synthetic personas?
Key takeaways:
Session attendees will come away with an evidence-based understanding of:
- Use cases for synthetic survey-takers.
- The realism and reliability of Toluna’s synthetic personas.
- Global comparisons of results from humans versus synthetic personas.
Presenter:
 | Renee Smith, EVP innovation, Toluna Renee leads the global innovation team for the Toluna Group. She has 30+ years of experience conducting research into why people do what they do. Previously, Renee worked on inventing and reinventing research solutions to meet client needs as chief research officer at GutCheck and at Kantar. She has an M.A. and Ph.D. in political science from Michigan State University and a B.A. in journalism from Central Michigan University. In her spare time, Renee enjoys investigating her family genealogy and has recently created synthetic personas for two of her ancestors to better understand their historical context. |