Participate in AI moderated studies

Once you open your AI moderated study link on a supported computer and browser, you'll go through a quick setup, have your conversation with the moderator, and finish when the moderator wraps things up. Here's what to expect at each step.

Setup

When you open your session link, you'll sign in and go through a short setup to make sure everything works:

1. Sign in to Dscout. You'll sign in or create a free Dscout account to get started, unless the researcher set the study up to let you skip this step.

2. Add the Dscout browser extension (if the study requires it). Some AI moderated studies use the Dscout browser extension. If yours does and you don't have it yet (or need a newer version), you'll be prompted to install or update it before the session begins.

3. Allow camera and microphone access. Your browser will ask for permission to use your camera and mic (choose Allow). If your mic check doesn't turn green right away, try saying something out loud; the check passes as soon as it picks up sound.

4. Share your entire screen. You'll be asked to share your whole screen, not just a single window or tab. Screen sharing is part of every AI moderated session, so you won't be able to continue until you share your full screen.

5. Choose your language. If the study is offered in more than one language, you'll pick the language you'd like to use. Choose the one you're most comfortable with—this can't be changed once the session begins. AI moderated studies support 26 languages; each study's researcher chooses which of them to offer.

Conversation styles

Every AI moderated study uses one of two conversation styles, chosen by the researcher. A short welcome message at the start tells you which one you're in.

• You control when you're done. After you answer each question, you click a Done button to let the moderator know you've finished. The moderator won't move on until you're ready, so you can take your time.

• The moderator responds on its own. The moderator listens for a natural pause and responds without waiting for you to click a button. (In this case, there is no Done button after certain questions.) If you need a moment to think, just say so and the moderator will wait.

Move through your session

You'll talk with the moderator through each section of the study. As you go, the moderator's status may change to Listening…, Thinking…, or Following along…—this just shows what the moderator is doing.

A few things to know:

• For multiple-choice and rating-scale questions, select your answer on screen. Click the option in the window rather than only saying it out loud. Otherwise the session can't record your answer and move on.

• Use the on-screen controls as needed. During the session you can mute or unmute your microphone, turn your camera on or off, Pause the session (this also pauses recording) and resume when you're ready, or Flag a moment you want to call out.

Finish your session

You don't need to press a "submit" or "end" button to finish an AI moderated session. When the moderator has covered everything, it wraps up the conversation and you'll see a completion screen—that's when your responses are submitted.

Don't use "End call" or "Exit" to finish your session. Those buttons leave the session early, before your responses are submitted, and may affect your reward. Only use them if you genuinely need to stop before the moderator is done. If you do leave early, your progress is saved—you can return through your session link and pick up where you left off.