Will AI Twist the Art of Conducting a Survey?

Surveys are a cornerstone of research and public engagement, yet too often they fall short, delivering low response rates, disengaged participants, and data that lacks depth. This article explores an emerging alternative - using AI to reimagine the survey as a dynamic, conversational experience. Through our project, we pilot an AI-powered agent that guides users through questions with empathy, adaptability, and responsiveness. We examine why AI is well-suited to this challenge, what makes this approach different, and the ethical, technical, and design considerations involved. More than a test of technology, this is a call to rethink how we gather insight, and how we can listen more meaningfully at scale.