Generative AI in User Research and Design Thinking

Fractal Analytics connects generative AI with three stages of research work: preparing discovery, conducting research and synthesizing findings. Interviews, surveys and observation provide the method context, while affinity mapping, journeys and tools such as ChatGPT support analysis. The course is useful for examining where assistance might save effort without treating generated material as evidence from actual participants.

What you will learn

• Plan discovery activities around a research question.
• Compare AI support for interviews, surveys and observation.
• Review affinity mapping and journey synthesis critically.

Who this suits

The provider lists a beginner level. Familiarity with a real design question will help you evaluate the proposed workflow and identify where human judgment is needed.

Before you enroll

Do not upload confidential participant information to an AI service without appropriate permission and data handling. Generated personas or interview responses cannot substitute for research with the intended audience.

Coursera offers paid enrollment or subscription access. Check the enrollment screen for included assessments, certificate terms, trials and any financial-aid options. Access conditions can change; review the current offer before paying.

Put it into practice

Use an anonymized sample of permitted research notes to draft an affinity map. Trace every theme back to its supporting observations and revise any generated claim that lacks evidence.

Source and review

This overview is based on the provider's published information, checked on 14 October 2026. It is an editorial assessment, not a claim that we completed the resource. Time filters are approximate study ranges; projects and exercises can take longer.

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