Senior Microsoft Researcher Uses Marvin’s AI to Elevate Her Skills

A Principal UX Researcher at Microsoft examines how Marvin’s AI capabilities can amplify the impact of research.

Customer Outcomes

• Spent more time on strategic research than manual tasks
• Delivered insights faster to stakeholders
• Showcased higher value of research as Marvin reduced overhead

Amplifying, Not Replacing, Research Expertise

Maryam Maleki has spent years conducting and analyzing user studies. She’s interested in learning whether modern tools like Marvin can enhance her work without compromising quality, ethics, or expertise.

She found that Marvin operates much like a junior researcher: Helpful, fast, and always learning — with guidance from her deep expertise and judgment.

Read on to discover how Maryam used Marvin for her study on cloud application modernization. You can learn more about her workflow in her Medium article.

During Interviews: Using Marvin to Listen More Closely

In interviews, researchers must balance between listening carefully and taking detailed notes. Marvin’s automatic recording and transcription eliminate the need for a tradeoff.

Before sessions, Maryam uploads her screener or discussion guide into Marvin. It uses the context to map responses to the exact questions in the transcript.

“It tags topics automatically, makes it easy to bookmark key quotes, and frees me up to actually listen — instead of scrambling to take notes.”

Maryam can then focus on the conversation and follow-up questions. With a structured record and notes ready as soon as the session ends, she can immediately dive into the analysis.

During Analysis: Accelerating Synthesis

The heart of research lies in analysis. Here, Marvin becomes a reliable research sidekick.

Maryam uses thematic clustering to surface early patterns and then deep research to surface all the relevant data.

“Here’s where Marvin really shines for me…It’s not a replacement for deep synthesis — but it accelerates it. And it gives me a faster path from raw data to insight.”

By clearing away overhead, Marvin lets her spend more time on the critical thinking that makes research valuable.

While Delivering Insights: Sharing Research in Near Real-time

Stakeholders want updates quickly. Researchers know synthesis takes time. Marvin helps Maryam meet both needs.

After each session, she uses Marvin to generate clean, quick summaries. She always reviews and tweaks them, but the starting point is solid enough to update stakeholders the same day.

“It helps cross-functional partners stay in the loop in near real-time.”

Maryam shares these updates in Microsoft Word, FigJam, or directly in Marvin. The result: partners stay engaged and aligned without waiting weeks for insights.

Elevating the Craft of Research

Maryam’s experience proves a simple truth: AI doesn’t replace researchers. It empowers them.

With Marvin, she can listen more carefully, share faster, and synthesize more effectively. Stakeholders see her work as more strategic, and she sees her own expertise amplified rather than diminished.

For Microsoft, that means research is more efficient and impactful. For Maryam, it’s shifted how she can use her skills:

“AI isn’t replacing researchers. But it is changing what it means to be an efficient, high-impact one.”

Want to know if Marvin is the research assistant for you? Book time with us to learn more.