The Synthesis Architect: Reclaiming nuance by qualitative researchers in the age of AI
As AI transforms social science, development practitioners must navigate the tension between scaling qualitative data and falling into a ‘hivemind’ of Western-centric consensus. In this blog Arul Chib collaborates with AI to discuss how in shifting from data collectors to synthesis architects, researchers can utilize local models to protect privacy while ensuring the ‘soul’ of the narrative remains human-led. History suggests that the panic surrounding new technologies often follows a predictable pattern of resistance, moving from initial bans and surveillance toward eventual integration. In the 1970s, the introduction of the calculator sparked fears that it would lead to mental atrophy…
