What I Learned Using AI for Focus Group Research on My Dad's Book "The Mahjong Mirror"

Have you ever wondered how books get their titles? I certainly hadn't given it much thought until recently, when my dad asked for my help with his upcoming book about using mahjong as a framework for decision-making. As someone who's always looking for ways to Be Tech-Forward while still appreciating traditional methods, I decided to try something innovative yet effective: using AI to simulate focus group research.

The Focus Group Research Approach

Instead of recruiting actual participants—a process that would have been time-consuming and expensive—I asked an advanced AI to simulate responses from 20 women aged 35-50 from around the world, the book's target demographic. The goal was to test five potential titles for "The Mahjong Mirror" and see which resonated most strongly. What started as a simple experiment turned into a fascinating window into how AI can simulate diverse perspectives across different cultures and backgrounds.

The simulated participants evaluated these options:

1. "The Mahjong Mirror: Reflections for Wiser Decisions"

2. "The Mahjong Mirror: Ancient Cards, Modern Choices"

3. "The Mahjong Mirror: Seeing Your Path Through Eastern Wisdom"

4. "The Mahjong Mirror: Finding Your Way Through Eastern Divination"

5. "The Mahjong Mirror: Clarity in Life's Crossroads"

What We Discovered

The winning title was "The Mahjong Mirror: Reflections for Wiser Decisions" with 6 votes, followed closely by "Ancient Cards, Modern Choices" with 5 votes. But the numbers were only part of the story. The AI-generated explanations for WHY certain titles appealed revealed much more.

The AI created a response from "Sarah from Australia" about the winning title: "This feels both mystical and practical. I like that it promises 'wiser decisions' rather than perfect ones." That observation struck me deeply - how many of us are seeking wisdom rather than perfection in our lives? The title captured that nuance beautifully.

Meanwhile, "Elena from Italy" was drawn to the second option: "I love the juxtaposition of ancient and modern. It feels relevant to today's problems." This tension between tradition and contemporary application seemed to be a common theme in the simulated responses.

What surprised me most were the unexpected insights that emerged during the AI's simulated discussions:

Cultural Appreciation vs. Appropriation

Four non-Asian "participants" expressed interest in the concept but voiced concerns about cultural appropriation. The AI suggested they wanted assurance that the book would honor the cultural origins of mahjong and treat Eastern wisdom with respect. This wasn't something I had initially considered as a major factor in title selection, but it became clear that addressing this thoughtfully would be important for many readers.

The Balance of Mysticism and Practicality

The simulated group was nearly evenly split between those who preferred emphasis on practical decision-making (11 participants) versus those drawn to mystical elements (9 participants). This revealed something crucial: the book needed to serve both audiences, those seeking concrete guidance and those drawn to the more philosophical aspects of Eastern wisdom.

Accessibility Concerns

Several AI-generated personas unfamiliar with mahjong wondered if prior knowledge would be required to understand the book. They suggested ensuring the cover design and introduction make it clear that no experience is necessary. This taught me that a good title not only attracts but also reassures potential readers.

The Personal Takeaway

Running this AI-simulated focus group was more than just helping my dad pick a book title. It reminded me how valuable it is to consider diverse perspectives, even when simulated. In our digital age, AI tools can provide a glimpse into how different people might think and react, though they'll never fully replace human conversation.

What I found most illuminating from our focus group research wasn't the vote count but the reasoning behind those votes. The AI-simulated "Mei from Singapore" valued simplicity and clear communication in the winning title. "Amara from Nigeria" appreciated that "seeing your path" felt empowering rather than prescriptive. These nuances couldn't have been captured by a simple online poll.

The experience has made me reflect on how I approach decision-making in my own life. Am I balancing ancient wisdom with modern approaches? Am I seeking perfect answers or wiser perspectives? These questions echo the very themes of my dad's book, making the whole exercise feel wonderfully meta.

Being Tech-Forward While Valuing Tradition

I've always believed in being Tech-Forward, embracing new tools and methodologies. This experience showed me how AI can enhance traditional market research approaches. The focus group was simulated, but the insights gained will inform very real marketing strategies and digital positioning for the book.

The mirror metaphor at the heart of the book's concept - reflecting on ourselves to make better decisions - seems particularly apt. Sometimes the most valuable tool for understanding potential audiences is creating a space, even a virtual one, where diverse perspectives can be explored. While AI simulation isn't a perfect mirror of reality, it provided reflections we might not have otherwise considered.

As my dad moves forward with "The Mahjong Mirror: Reflections for Wiser Decisions," I'm grateful for this reminder that wisdom often comes from balance - between tradition and innovation, between data and human intuition, between Eastern philosophy and Western application.

Have you ever used AI to simulate customer feedback or market research? What surprising insights emerged from the exercise? I'd love to hear your experiences.

"The most powerful reflections often come not from looking at ourselves, but from seeing ourselves through the eyes of others—even when those others are AI-simulated personas."