Diwa AI: Redefining Market Research with Smart Conversations
Jose Lorenzo Villabroza
Diwa AI’s main product is an advanced AI-powered research tool designed for large-scale qualitative and quantitative data gathering and analysis. Unlike standard chatbots, it specializes in conducting in depth interviews through voice-based interactions, generating real-time follow-up questions for deeper insights. It automates data collection and analysis, helping researchers efficiently interpret qualitative data. By streamlining the research process, Diwa AI transforms how organizations gather and analyze insights, making market research more scalable, data-driven, and impactful. With that, why don’t you join me in learning more about the Diwa AI with its CEO and Co-Founder, Jose Lorenzo Villabroza.
What is Diwa AI and what problem does it aim to solve?
Diwa AI is a tech startup specializing in AI-driven market research methodology software. While still a young company—having secured funding just last year—our mission is to address gaps in traditional market research through innovative AI solutions. Founded by Filipinos, Diwa AI is deeply rooted in the local tech landscape. We are fully funded and supported by Ventures of Creativity, a Hakuhodo startup-focused company, as their 2023 batch, whose members actively support us. Despite this international partnership, our day-to-day operations are fully led by our team in the Philippines, ensuring a localized approach to AI-powered market research.
How does Diwa AI differentiate itself from other AI chatbots available today?
Diwa AI sets itself apart as an AI-powered interviewer designed specifically for market research. Unlike generic chatbots used in customer service or HR, it is trained on industry-specific methodologies market researchers use to identify and elicit key insights from qualitative data gathering sessions like FGDs or In-depth interviews. It goes beyond scripted responses by generating intelligent follow-up questions in real time on-top of pre-set questionnaires, ensuring deeper and more relevant insights. Additionally, its voice-based interaction closely mimics human-led interviews, making the experience more natural and engaging.
What truly differentiates Diwa AI is its ability to scale qualitative research while integrating quantitative analysis. Traditional research methods often limit qualitative studies to small groups, but Diwa AI bridges this gap by handling large-scale qualitative and quantitative data simultaneously. More than just collecting responses, it analyzes and derives insights the way human researchers do, making market research more efficient, scalable, and insightful.
Can you share more about the technology behind Diwa AI? How does it process and understand Filipino/Tagalog?
Diwa AI is an advanced market research tool designed to process and understand multiple languages, mainly trained on Taglish at the moment, reflecting the natural way Filipinos communicate. Unlike traditional AI chatbots, it uses a fine-tuned large language model (LLM) to guide interview flows, generate relevant follow-up questions, and interpret research designs. This makes interviews more dynamic and engaging, mimicking real human conversations rather than relying on rigid, pre-scripted responses.
Beyond just gathering data, Diwa AI features an advanced analysis system trained on market research transcripts to extract meaningful insights. It leverages Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and traditional algorithms to efficiently process large-scale qualitative and quantitative data, helping researchers identify key trends while filtering out irrelevant information. By continuously integrating the latest AI advancements and open-source technologies, Diwa AI is revolutionizing market research—making interviews more natural, data analysis more efficient, and insights more valuable.
Are there any key partnerships or collaborations that have helped drive Diwa AI’s success?
While Diwa AI is still in its early phases and gearing up for a full launch in the coming months, one of the most instrumental partnerships in our journey has been with Ventures of Creativity (VOC)—an initiative under the Hakuhodo Group of Companies. We competed in the first batch of VOC, pitched in Japan, and ultimately won, which was a pivotal moment for us. This victory not only provided investment but also invaluable mentorship and guidance.
Unlike traditional investors who simply fund and track metrics, VoC has been deeply involved in our growth. They’ve provided hands-on support, especially in areas where we needed expertise—such as corporate structuring, compliance, and operational strategies. Many of our mentors within the program have successfully launched their own startups, offering real-world insights that have shaped our approach. Thanks to this collaboration, we were able to incorporate in Singapore last November, and we continue to receive strategic advice as we refine and scale Diwa AI.
What is the long-term vision for Diwa AI, and where do you see it in the next five years?
If you had asked me this question a few months ago, my answer would have been different—because AI evolves so rapidly. Back then, I envisioned Diwa AI as a global standard for large-scale qualitative and quantitative research, collaborating with market research firms worldwide. Ideally, in five years, our AI interviewer would be the go-to tool for researchers and students—replacing traditional survey methods and field interviews with a seamless, AI-driven platform. Instead of manually sending out links or hiring a field team, users could simply create an account on Diwa AI, launch their research, and gather insights effortlessly.
However, as we continue developing the technology, we’re uncovering new opportunities beyond market research. Our AI’s ability to engage in conversations, extract valuable data, and analyze it at scale has applications in various industries we hadn't initially considered. In the next five years, I see Diwa AI thriving in both market research and broader use cases—potentially a 50-50 split between these domains. While I can’t reveal specifics yet, the possibilities are vast, and we’re excited to see how our AI can make a meaningful impact beyond what we originally imagined.
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Jose Lorenzo Villabroza is the CEO and Co-Founder of Diwa AI, alongside his CTO Rey Christopher Lee, leading the company in revolutionizing market research through AI-driven insights. With a strong vision for innovation, he is dedicated to enhancing data-driven decision-making, enabling businesses to scale qualitative and quantitative research efficiently.
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