Summary
In this session, I will explore the groundbreaking approach taken by the Austin Public Library's Innovation Lab in integrating AI with GitHub for UX enhancement. Our primary challenge was to streamline and enrich the documentation process, adhering to the complex guidelines of the U.S. Web Design System (USWDS) while ensuring the content was accessible and user-friendly. Leveraging AI, we developed a system that not only automates the creation of diverse documentation formats like Markdown, but also ensures alignment with USWDS standards. This innovative method significantly improved the efficiency of our documentation process, making it more coherent and navigable. A key highlight is our recent revamp of the Breadcrumbs navigation strategy, demonstrating AI's role in enhancing user experience and interface design. The session showcases how AI can transform UX practices, offering practical insights for UX professionals looking to leverage AI in their work. Takeaways Insight into the innovative use of AI for streamlining documentation processes, adhering to USWDS guidelines in a public library setting Practical examples of how AI can transform UX practices, with a focus on creating efficient, user-friendly, and standards-compliant documentation Demonstration of the AI-assisted update of the Breadcrumbs navigation strategy, demonstrating tangible improvements in UX design and user navigation Strategies for leveraging AI to enhance collaboration among UX designers, developers, and content creators, fostering a more integrated and effective workflow Tips for utilizing tools like GitHub Pages for rapid deployment and continuous integration, highlighting the role of AI in accelerating project development
Key Insights
-
•
The significance of ethical data stewardship in preserving historical data.
-
•
Long-term data hosting requires planning beyond current technologies.
-
•
Open and transparent data practices are crucial for usability.
-
•
AI can significantly enhance productivity in data management tasks.
-
•
Modular tools and documentation help maintain data integrity over time.
-
•
Community engagement can alleviate fears around coding and data projects.
-
•
The importance of providing contextual knowledge with data transfers.
-
•
Using markdown allows for easier readability and collaboration on platforms like GitHub.
-
•
Leveraging AI tools can make programming more accessible to non-developers.
-
•
Data has a 'life of its own' and should be adaptable for various contexts.
Notable Quotes
"Living data is intentionally provocative and controversial."
"We're trying to use things for the right reasons as they are helpful."
"Our approach aims to create community and enable discovery."
"I don't even read those error messages; I just instantly copy them and paste."
"If you're new to Python, find a mentor who can guide you."
"Civic technology groups like Open Austin can be excellent resources for learning."
"Make mistakes and learn from that as you teach others."
"Once you've written a scraper, you can get your data in structured format."
"The aim is to generate lasting value that can adapt over time."
"We want to present data in a way that reflects modern sensibilities."
More Videos
"Design can be so powerful that it influences decision-making."
John MaedaMaking Sense of Enterprise UX
June 9, 2016
"Demographics don’t cause thinking; they can exacerbate discrimination, but for everything else, they've lost context."
Indi YoungThinking styles: Mend hidden cracks in your market
January 8, 2025
"Developing deep customer empathy is fundamental to understanding who is using a product and why."
Chris ChapoData Science and Design: A Tale of Two Tribes
May 13, 2015
"The creation of trust leads to better communication tools."
Elizabeth ChurchillExploring Cadence: You, Your Team, and Your Enterprise
June 8, 2017
"There was no choice but to adapt."
Rusha SopariwalaRemote, Together: Craft and Collaboration Across Disciplines, Borders, Time Zones, and a Design Org of 170+
June 9, 2022
"Human-centered design makes you feel like we're centering on humans, but that is not always true."
George AyeThat Quiet Little Voice: When Design and Ethics Collide
November 16, 2022
"Every once in a while, it's okay to turn your video off."
Ariba JahanTeam Resiliency Through a Pandemic
January 8, 2024
"We have more demand for design work than capacity right now, which is a good problem to have."
Julie Gitlin Esther RaiceDesign as an Agent of Digital Transformation at JPMC
June 9, 2021
"Data per se are not the problem; it's the way we are using the data that can be problematic."
Matteo GrattonCan Data and Ethics Live Together?
October 1, 2021
