Over the past few years, there has been a very volatile narrative on artificial intelligence in the design field between pessimistic doom-mongers and optimistic fanatics. Coming as a Lead Product Designer with experience of being involved in complex data platforms and new technologies daily, I would say that AI is not going to replace us, although it will definitely change our point of gravity. We are moving from the makers to decision-makers.
The classic approach to product design requires a large amount of time for production level tasks – from aligning the layout manually to creating infinite iterations of wireframes and nested autolayout components. Nowadays, using AI-driven tools and systems, we can perform pixel-level processes in just a few seconds. Thus, we should concentrate more on what makes us different from machines – system thinking, behavioral psychology, and human-AI interaction coordination.
"Tomorrow’s designer is not a pixel-pusher, but a system orchestrator. Our value is in our taste, empathy and our ability to orchestrate trust."
The Shift to Intent-Based Design
Designing with AI takes us to a paradigm of prioritizing what users want to accomplish. Of just drawing a button we think about the situation and goals of the person using it. For example we ask: How is the doctor feeling when using this dashboard? What might influence a researcher when looking at this data? AI can help with layout ideas. Only a human designer can make the design feel right for the user by understanding their needs and feelings.
AI has also changed how we work together on designs. It can quickly suggest different ways to structure a project. Our job is to guide these suggestions making sure they fit with our vision of a product that's good for users.
Designing the Future
Working with AI means we don't have to do all the tasks ourselves. The best products, in the future will be those that are designed by people who really understand how humans behave. By using AI to handle the parts we can focus on creating experiences that truly matter to users and last a long time.