Summary
Designers stand at the verge of a great professional opportunity: artificial intelligence. This technology enables computers to study the world and make predictions using unstructured data. We can speak to machines—and machines can speak back. We can gesture to devices, expressing emotion and intent, and machines can respond meaningfully. We can look to computers not just for interaction, but for companionship. How can designers adapt and thrive in this evolving terrain? How might we map out new brands, platforms and experiences between human and machine? What dangers must we address? What destructive ideologies must we reveal? What possibilities for a better future might we explore and prototype?
Key Insights
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Designers and data scientists must collaborate for effective user experiences.
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Individualized experiences can enhance user satisfaction and engagement.
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Anticipatory design can fulfill user needs without them having to ask explicitly.
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Overtrusting AI systems poses risks; users may blindly follow incorrect guidance.
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Design systems should encourage users to question AI predictions and decisions.
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Ethical considerations around data use must be integral to design processes.
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The metaphor of 'pedal assist' illustrates how AI can enhance human capabilities rather than replace them.
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Identifying which human skills to maintain amid automation is vital for future systems.
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Younger designers show enthusiasm for AI, while older designers tend to be more cautious, highlighting a generational divide in attitudes toward technology.
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AI systems need to be understood as unique tools that bring their own complexities to design solutions.
Notable Quotes
"Designers need data, but data also needs designers."
"We’re gonna end up with a lot of meals that nobody wants to eat."
"Humans tend to give too much authority to autonomous systems."
"If our customers are seeding too much authority in these systems, we need to encourage skepticism."
"We’re thinking about who is being marginalized, who are the edge cases in these anticipatory systems."
"There’s a lot of dangers, but there’s also a lot of possibilities."
"Designers must engage with data responsibly to shape desired futures."
"We’re sculpting experiences that allow users to see complex patterns they might miss alone."
"AI systems can help us embrace complexity in ways we haven’t previously seen."
"This is such a vast terrain of possibilities for designers right now."
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