Research at the speed of conversation
Virtual Audiences are AI personas that respond and speak like real people. Emerging from real consumer data, we can offer you instant access to valuable insight that is obtained fast, scalable and credible.
This hybrid approach keeps the human touch at the center while using machine intelligence to go beyond traditional fieldwork constraints.
About the service
What is Virtual Audience?
A Virtual Audience is a living ecosystem of AI-generated personas that reflect real human behavior. Built from real-world data from trusted sources, social signals, and psychographic patterns, these synthetic humans think, feel, and respond just like your consumers.
Human-enriched synthetic research
Our Virtual Audiences are trained using behavioral model and emotional profiles that allow moderators to have nuanced, realistic conversations.
Real insight, reimagined
This hybrid model blends the scalability of AI with the interpretive depth of human research. It allows you to explore ideas, test communication, and iterate concepts faster than ever, without compromising quality or credibility. Virtual audiences never get tired.
Why Virtual Audience matters
In a world where speed and precision define success, Virtual Audiences help you stay ahead. They give your teams continuous access to the consumer voice, without the limits of time, recruitment, or geography.
Faster, smarter decisions
From communication pre-tests to concept evaluations, Virtual Audiences deliver feedback within hours instead of weeks, accelerating your creative and strategic cycles.
Always on, always learning
Because they are “always available,” your Virtual Audience can be used for iterative testing, real-time gut checks, and exploratory sessions whenever inspiration strikes.
Grounded in human expertise
Our moderators are trained in both qualitative interviewing and AI dynamics. Every conversation is analyzed and validated by real researchers to ensure we are asking the right questions, reliability and context.
Start working with your Virtual Audience now
At Haystack Consulting, synthetic research is designed for meaning, not for hype. Our Virtual Audiences are built, not prompted but realistic, contextual, and enriched by human intelligence.
Ideal partner
Why partner with Haystack Consulting for Virtual Audience research
We are pioneers in combining human qualitative expertise with advanced AI. Our moderators, trained on AI interviewing, ensure that every insight is grounded in context and meaning.
We have validated our method across multiple clients and industries, proving that hybrid human–AI research delivers more credible, actionable insights than AI alone.
We also benchmarked our findings against real qualitative research. Results consistently show over 85% parity with human responses, validated by moderators to ensure quality.
Our Virtual Audience can be fully customized to your needs, whether you are testing communication concepts, exploring innovation territories, or stress-testing campaign messages.
Unique process
Built for real insight, not synthetic chatter
Virtual Audiences are more than digital personas. They are simulated human systems built on behavioral, psychographic, and emotional data.
Where science meets empathy
We design Virtual Audiences using advanced models such as OCEAN personality traits, social data mapping, and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) to connect synthetic insight with your proprietary data sources.
From simulation to strategy
Our qualitative moderators conduct real conversations with synthetic humans, analyze responses, and extract key narratives. The result: speed, scale, and depth, all in one.
Brand aligned
A partner who keeps human understanding at the core
We see technology as a tool to enhance empathy, not replace it.
Hybrid precision
Every Virtual Audience combines AI scalability with human interpretation.
Scientific foundation
Built on validated behavioral and linguistic models for realistic reasoning and emotion.
Tailored to your brand
We create audiences that reflect your market, consumer types, and segmentation.
Ethically designed
No privacy risks, no respondent fatigue, just data you can trust.
How we build and activate your Virtual Audience
Our process is designed for agility, accuracy, and scalability. Within days, we can start interacting with your audience and unlocking new perspectives.
Alignment
We define your objectives, ideal audience profiles, and research scope.
Moderate
Our trained moderators engage the AI personas in realistic interviews and discussions.
Activate
Together, we turn findings into decisions that shape communication, innovation, or brand strategy.
Build
We construct your Virtual Audience using synthetic data and behavioral modeling.
Analyze
Insights are extracted, validated, and translated into clear narratives and recommendations.
Alignment
We define your objectives, ideal audience profiles, and research scope.
Build
We construct your Virtual Audience using synthetic data and behavioral modeling.
Moderate
Our trained moderators engage the AI personas in realistic interviews and discussions.
Analyze
Insights are extracted, validated, and translated into clear narratives and recommendations.
Activate
Together, we turn findings into decisions that shape communication, innovation, or brand strategy.
Don’t just take our word for it
"Great team to work with. Always innovating research agency for sensorial research!"
"Haystack brainstorms with us as a partner to create challenging, innovative, and custom-made projects."
"We have great professional experience with Haystack! They are reliable, dynamic, pleasant and highly flexible. They are specialised in sensory research among others."
"Haystack has a critical approach embedded in their company culture and methodologies. That is why we prefer to work with Haystack."
Ready to shape your Virtual Audience story?
The future of consumer understanding is already here. If you are ready to explore how AI and human insight can accelerate your decision-making, our team would love to connect.
Frequently asked questions
Virtual Audiences are a new way of thinking about consumer research. Here are some of the most common questions clients ask before starting their journey with us.
Start your Virtual Audience journey today
The way we understand consumers is evolving.
With Haystack Consulting’s Virtual Audiences, you can test ideas, explore behaviors, and unlock human understanding at the speed of conversation.
If you are ready to see how AI and human expertise can work together to shape smarter, faster research, our team is here to help.
