Utilization of Artificial Intelligence Generated Virtual Research Participants (VRPs) in Empirical Research: A Case of an Interview with Two Young Individuals from Ancient Greece, Each 2470 Years Old

This paper explores the innovative use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in empirical research, particularly focusing on Virtual Research Participants (VRPs). It addresses the challenge of conducting empirical research in social issues involving historical or non-existent individuals, where traditional methods are inadequate. The research illustrates how AI-driven virtual characters can be used as substitutes for real participants in qualitative studies, allowing researchers to simulate interviews with individuals from inaccessible times or worlds. The study uses a case from a 2024 school conference, where participants engaged in interviews with two virtual avatars, "Athinodoros" from ancient Athens and "Agisilaos" from ancient Sparta. These AI-generated characters, created using contemporary platforms, were programmed with historically accurate traits and used to explore attitudes toward gender equality in ancient Greece. By applying a modern metric scale, the study evaluated how well AI characters could simulate meaningful responses that align with historical contexts. The paper outlines the methodology used to create and program these VRPs, detailing the ethical considerations and the limitations of relying on AI for accurate and valid research. The authors highlight the fact that while AI avatars offer new possibilities for social research, particularly in recreating perspectives from the past, significant questions remain about the reliability and authenticity of the data they produce. Ultimately, this research introduces the concept of using VRPs as an emerging tool in social sciences, proposing that AI has the potential to enhance access to previously unreachable data sources. However, further research is needed to address the concerns surrounding the trustworthiness and qualitative value of VRP-driven studies.