“Will AI make UX obsolete?”. This was a question that I was asked recently at the Next Tech Girls ‘Next Tech Fest’. It’s a good question. But it troubled me. Women are under-served in Tech. And it’s a question which suggests that young, talented women may be put off by a career in UX because of a concern that AI will make it a less attractive career option. So, here is my answer. No!
AI is transforming many industries, but it is unlikely to make the discipline of User Experience (UX) obsolete. In fact, there are some strong indications that AI will enhance the UX industry. And here’s why:
- UX is human-centred
UX focuses on understanding human needs, behaviours, and emotions, which AI, at its core, lacks. While AI can automate certain aspects of UX design, it can’t replace the nuanced understanding of human experiences and empathy that a UX designer brings. Creating intuitive, accessible, and emotionally resonant designs tests me, and my colleagues regularly. It requires deep insight into human behaviour, something AI alone cannot replicate.
- AI is a tool
If you are involved in UX, then you’ll know that AI tools are increasingly integrated into UX design workflows to automate repetitive tasks, improve efficiency, and aid in decision-making. I tend to use AI tools during the research stage. ChatGPT can help create the skeleton of an interview or usability test script. And collaborative tools are adding AI functionality. For example, Miro and FigJam have AI embedded that can create quick iterations and workshop templates, or even summarise notes. The same with Dovetail, a platform to analyse session recordings; AI generated insights offer a fresh perspective, that can supplement your own.
When it comes to quantitative data, there are some very powerful tools that use AI to help analyse user behaviour in a fraction of the time that a human could do it.
- AI Needs UX for Better User Interaction
The irony in the big question of “will AI replace is UX” is that AI systems can only improve by interacting with humans in a seamless and intuitive way. Designing user interfaces for AI-powered products requires an even greater focus on user experience, as users need to trust and understand how to interact with AI. To improve, AI needs human-centred design.
UX designers play a critical role in shaping how people experience AI systems, ensuring that these technologies are usable, ethical, and aligned with human needs.
- AI lacks creativity and empathy
AI has begun to excel at data analysis, pattern recognition, and automation. Its weaknesses lie with creativity and empathy. It requires empathy to understand and solve real user issues. This is something that AI is currently unable to do. UX design is a creative discipline that involves finding innovative solutions to complex problems, that, often doesn’t present as a problem until a solution is identified. So how could AI spot it? And even if it could, the output of an AI generated design is (at this point anyway), likely to be at best average, because of the way that AI collects and processes data without the creativity or empathy.
- AI can cross the ethical line
As AI systems become more prevalent, ethical considerations in UX design will be critical. Designers will need to think about how AI impacts user privacy, transparency, and trust. Ensuring AI-driven products are designed ethically, in ways that respect user rights, will require human oversight from UX professionals. This increases the need for UX practitioners who understand the social and psychological impacts of design, rather than diminishing it.
AI will enhance UX, not replace it
It’s clear that AI will change the way UX professionals work. AI is another tool in our UX toolbox. We should embrace AI. Not fear it. And who better to take on this challenge than the young, smart tech-savvy generation that I met at the Next Tech Girls Fest? They have grown up with AI. And my hope is that they will embrace AI and use it as a tool to help them innovate and adapt in a rapidly evolving AI powered landscape.
If you have a question for Ana or the Triad team, please get in touch.
