The rise of synthetic panels and AI-generated respondents has created exciting possibilities for fast, scalable insight. But with dozens of new tools on the market, it’s hard to tell what’s credible and what’s just hype. Most platforms claim they’re accurate, secure, and smart, but few prove it.

This guide helps you ask the right questions before you invest. Whether you're in marketing, UX, product, or research, these ten checkpoints will help you separate true research-grade tools from flashy experiments.

Your AI Panel Checklist

1. Is there a public test or benchmark I can read?
Ask for proof. The best providers publish independent studies, not just polished sales decks. Can they show how their data compares to real human responses?
Lakmoos: Yes. We’ve conducted independent benchmarks comparing AI panel outputs with real respondent data. Ask us for the one-pager summary.

2. Can they randomly pick respondents like in real surveys?
Representative insights require representative sampling. If a tool can’t randomly select synthetic users (at scale or for niche targets) results risk major bias.
Lakmoos: Yes. We support full sample control with randomization, quotas, and even single-person selection.

3. Does their AI create answers from scratch or just search old stuff?
Some systems rely on scraping or regurgitating existing content. That won’t help you explore new concepts or test forward-looking hypotheses.
Lakmoos: Yes. Our AI generates structured, novel answers from scenario logic, not recycled data.

4. Can I upload and reuse my own data?
Your first-party data is valuable. Good systems let you integrate it. Bad ones keep you locked into generic segments.
Lakmoos: Yes. You can upload, fine-tune, and test on your own datasets, whether user interviews, CRM data, or custom personas.

5. Is my data safe - no leaks, no third-party training?
Security matters. If your data is feeding someone else’s model, you could be leaking strategy to competitors.
Lakmoos: Yes. Your data stays yours. It’s never used to train third-party models or shared outside your organization. → Read about data safety in our pilot with Raiffeisenbank.

6. Was this tool built by real AI experts?
Many tools are built by generalists or repackaged with AI labels. Ask about the team. Are they trained in AI, or just wrapping prompts around ChatGPT?
Lakmoos: Yes. Built in-house by AI engineers, PhDs, and research methodologists.

7. What kind of AI does it use?
Generic language models like GPT aren’t enough. Real research requires traceability, structure, and logic beyond just text prediction.
Lakmoos: Yes. We use a hybrid stack including neuro-symbolic AI, designed specifically for explainability and research-grade inference.

8. Can they handle small, niche groups?
It’s easy to simulate “average users.” It’s much harder to model complex, low-incidence segments. If you're targeting B2B buyers, policy influencers, or parents with specific constraints, does the tool hold up?
Lakmoos: Yes. We specialize in niche targets and simulate behavior with precision.

9. Do I get transparency on how the data was made?
You should never guess where synthetic responses came from. Can the provider show exactly how a result was produced?
Lakmoos: Yes. Every answer can be traced through explainable logic trees, a core feature of neuro-symbolic AI.

10. Do they care about research quality — not just shiny tech?
Cool demos don’t equal credible insights. Does the provider follow established research principles? Do they publish methods? Do they care about quality?
Lakmoos: Yes. We’re research-first. Our models are designed by scientists and tested against market research standards including ESOMAR principles.

→ Read how Lakmoos AI complies with ESOMAR 20 questions for AI buyers.

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Bottom line: not all AI panels are equal. Before you adopt AI-generated data or synthetic respondents, ask tough questions. Most platforms will talk about speed and scale. Only a few, including Lakmoos, can speak to rigor, transparency, and traceable logic.

If you're looking for a provider that matches innovation with integrity, let's talk.