UX Futures: The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Design
Summary
Over the last several years, artificial intelligence (AI) has permeated the software world––from “smart reply” functionality in email to auto-completed code in developer tools––but it’s only recently that AI has been implemented into creative processes. As AI-driven functionality becomes more common in the design tooling space, questions arise––what is cool? Inspirational? Useful? And what is creepy? Unhelpful? Where is the line?
Key Insights
-
•
AI has quietly become part of the UX design process for years, not just with generative tools but with automation features like Figma's auto layout.
-
•
Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Midjourney, and DALL·E have accelerated creative workflows but also raised concerns about replacing human design expertise.
-
•
UX professionals see two main AI use cases: increasing efficiency by automating repetitive tasks and fostering innovation through idea generation.
-
•
There is a tension between efficiency and preserving designers’ creative agency and trust in AI outputs.
-
•
AI’s value lies in freeing designers from mundane tasks, allowing them to focus on strategy, creativity, and complex problem solving.
-
•
Trust in AI depends heavily on transparency about training data and the ability of designers to remain in control and sign off on AI decisions.
-
•
Participatory design and speculative scenario testing with real UX professionals provide critical insight into AI’s role and perceived value.
-
•
There is prevalent hype conflating AI utility with buzz, making it crucial to focus on solving real user problems, especially in enterprise contexts.
-
•
AI can democratize design by enabling non-experts to participate meaningfully, as automation lowers entry barriers.
-
•
Future opportunities for AI in UX include aiding internationalization, adherence to accessibility standards, and facilitating cross-functional collaboration in large organizations.
Notable Quotes
"AI is valuable in design when it extrapolates away mundane work."
"An AI-driven design tool should help me by lowering the redundant work, reducing tedious tasks and help me focus on the experience and strategy."
"I really want to be able to sign off on decisions and make sure that I’m preserving my agency as a UX professional."
"There’s a perception that generative AI is gonna change everything, but I think it’s gonna transform, not totally overhaul mine."
"It can be really hard to tell what is AI and what isn’t, and your average user may not know the difference."
"When you hand over something to a machine, what is really yours? How does it affect your identity as a professional or your relationship to your work?"
"Novice users can try things out thanks to automation, but experts can focus on the challenging and creative pieces."
"It’s critical to measure perceived value and ask: Are you really solving the right problem with AI?"
"Trust is paramount; designers want transparency about what the AI is trained on and what data it uses."
"AI should be a partner to UX professionals, not a replacement for UX expertise."
Or choose a question:
More Videos
"Confidence is crucial — nobody wants to lose money or receive a product they can’t use, so unclear or unlabeled controls cause people with disabilities to give up faster."
Sam ProulxOnline Shopping: Designing an Accessible Experience
November 29, 2023
"If we’re not helping with the decision, why are they paying us what they’re paying us? That’s the essence of research."
Mike OrenImproving Democratized Research with CustomGPTs and Gems
February 25, 2026
"AI assistance in user research doesn’t supplant humans; it augments and assists by helping us sift through large volumes of data."
Greg PetroffSoftware as Material—A Redux
June 6, 2023
"People coming from agencies sometimes need help dropping bad habits like working at 2am or stressful environments."
Allison SandersOperating with Purpose
January 8, 2024
"It’s too infrequent researchers ask what metrics PMs are being held to or follow up months later on project outcomes."
Chris GeisonWhat is Research Strategy?
March 11, 2021
"Disability is the only identity that all of us will probably adopt at some point during our lives."
Sam ProulxAccessibility: An Opportunity to Innovate
June 8, 2022
"It’s not about saying yes to everything; it’s about picking projects aligned with company strategy, user experience impact, and where you can truly add value."
Alnie FigueroaTeamwork: Strategies for Effective Collaboration with Other Program Management Teams
September 8, 2022
"It’s really great to have no scripted approach because it lets you ask what some might call dumb questions."
Deanna MitchellDesigning with culture: Unlocking impactful insights for Product and UX
March 12, 2025
"Inclusive design and research is a process; it happens on a spectrum from accidental to intentional."
Saara Kamppari-MillerInclusive Design is DesignOps
September 29, 2021
Latest Books All books
Dig deeper with the Rosenbot
What role can familiar communication channels like WhatsApp play in deploying AI tools in resource-limited settings?
What task scope limitations should be considered when working with AI for code generation or design assistance?
How can integrating AI tools with codebases enhance domain context understanding?