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Why you shouldn’t worry about losing your UX job because of AI
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When it comes to UX research, we’re at a crossroads of technology and human insights because artificial intelligence, particularly tools like ChatGPT, is revolutionizing how we approach design research.
Let’s just look around in your (virtual) office!
What do you see?
What I see is, our engineering partners tend to embrace new technology way before we, designers, do.
If you asked your developer colleagues, they most likely would tell you they’ve been using AI tools such as CoPilot from GitHub and plugins such as Grazie from JetBrains for their work.
Our product partners just started using Microsoft’s CoPilot to spice up their Word documents and PowerPoints.
As a product designer, you might be thinking, “Oh no, AI will take my job!” or you might be as enthusiastic as I am about the rise of artificial intelligence.
Regardless of your stance, it’s important to recognize that AI is here to stay and will continue to play an increasingly important role in UX design & research because it’s been transforming the way we approach UX research already.
By embracing AI, we can work more efficiently and effectively, freeing up time to focus on the human side of design because our human expertise is irreplaceable (at least for the foreseeable future)
AI tools can enhance our work but can’t replace the human touch.
The (not that) new kid on the block: ChatGPT.
It’s an AI tool that I, like many others in our field, use daily.
Why?
Because it’s incredibly efficient at assisting with those niggling questions that pop up during my work. It feels like I have a knowledgeable colleague on hand 24/7, ready to jump in with insights or suggestions.
However, if you use it daily, it’s important to remember that ChatGPT is an assistant, not a replacement.
For instance, I’d never ask ChatGPT to create a user persona. Because that’s a task that needs human involvement.
Why?
Because truly understanding our users requires a depth of empathy and insight that only humans can provide.
Empathy, empathy, empathy…the word we always hear.
But what does it really mean?
Why can’t you just hand over all the insights you gather on your user to ChatGPT to work its magic?
If you’ve ever tried this, you know ChatGPT can do an OK job with persona creation. I’d say it’s about 71% good enough of a job.
The remaining 29% comes from the empathy mentioned above.
There are multiple ways, ways that AI can’t do yet.
Empathy begins with listening — not just to what users say, but how they say it. When we do usability testing and user interviews, we pay attention to non-verbal cues, like tone and body language. Ideally, if your budget allows, we want to observe users in their natural environment, providing invaluable insights into their daily challenges and behaviours.
We can spend time in environments where users interact with our products and services. This immersive approach allows us to understand the context of their experiences, getting better insights than we could get from surveys alone.
AI isn’t good at contextual and probing questions yet. We can encourage users to share stories about their experiences during user interviews. Those stories reveal the emotions, thoughts, and contexts behind user behaviours, offering a more profound understanding than mere data points.
By doing what we humans do best, we can reach 100% (71% + 29%) way faster with AI’s help. But AI alone won’t do the trick.
This brings us to a crucial point: the role of human thought in UX research. AI tools can help craft interview questions or brainstorm ideas, working alongside us like diligent assistants. But they don’t replace the need for human creativity and critical thinking. When it comes to understanding and interpreting user feedback, the human touch is non-negotiable.
AI can transcribe user interviews, but it takes a human researcher to delve into the nuances of those conversations.
We’re the ones who can pick up on subtle cues and understand the context behind the words.
Good research isn’t just about collecting data; it’s about interpreting it to inform meaningful product strategies.
AI tools like ChatGPT can’t translate research findings into actionable strategies because they lack the ability to see the bigger picture and can’t understand the unique context of each project.
This strategic vision and direction are inherently human traits.
The demand for skilled UX researchers will only increase as AI evolves.
We’ll need professionals who blend AI insights with human empathy and strategic thinking.
This is the reason why I’m excited about our field — a time for growth and new opportunities.
So, should we fear AI in UX research?
Absolutely not.
Embrace it!
But also remember that tools like ChatGPT are only as effective as the human expertise guiding them.
Just as Figma is only as good as the designer’s understanding of design principles.
AI tools depend on our knowledge and insights.
Whether you’re a fan or a skeptic, AI tools in UX should be used with caution and care.
Here are some guidelines to help you harness AI tools wisely, ensuring they complement rather than overshadow your expertise.
While AI can assist in data analysis, such as summarizing notes from user interviews, it can’t replace the human ability to interpret social nuances and behaviours. These human insights are vital for genuine user understanding.
Don’t take an AI output at face value. We need to remember that AI models often rely on general, publicly accessible data sets, which may not align with the specific, nuanced data of your research project. Always question the relevance and accuracy of AI-generated insights.
AI, by its nature, might produce generic outputs since it works off widely available data. We should use AI for routine tasks to free up our time for more in-depth, creative, and original thought processes.
To wrap it up, AI is a fantastic booster for UX research, but let’s remember it’s not here to take over our jobs.
I think of AI as a trusty sidekick, helping me reach new heights in UX design & research while I’m in the driving seat with my human smarts.
If you stick to these tips, you’ll turn AI into a wonderful tool in your product design toolkit, making your work shine brighter without losing its unique touch.