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MFA THESIS - Artificial Intelligence (AI) guide for UX Designers

Enabling UX designers to enter the field of AI.

Thesis cover image portfolio.png

Project Duration: March 2018- May 2019
My Role: Researcher

PROBLEM STATEMENT

  1. AI deals with uncovering complex data by sense-making to solve complex problems.

  2. Both UX and AI deal with problem-solving.

  3. Recent research indicates that many UX designers are unprepared to understand and effectively leverage AI capabilities (Dove, Halskov, Forlizzi, & Zimmerman, 2017).

OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

There is an opportunity to lower the barrier of entry for UX Designers in the AI field by enabling UX Designers to communicate, understand, and thrive in the growing field of AI to apply User Experience effectively.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

UMBRELLA QUESTION

How might we equip UX designers with the skills needed to apply UX in the field of Artificial intelligence? 

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RESEARCH SUB-QUESTIONS

  1. What is the value of user experience in AI?

  2. What are the limitations for UX designers in the AI field?

  3. Where do user experience designers currently lie in the AI field?

  4. Why should UX designers consider entering the AI field?

FEW KEY FINDINGS

UX DESIGNER & AI

A few challenges in the AI field -

  • AI requires a lot of time to update and make changes unlike current software updates and UX designers must plan their timeline keeping this constraint in mind.

  • AI Engineers approach mostly deals with being concerned with how well the technology alone works but UX Designers work with perception by advocating for user needs.

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FEW FINDINGS FROM SURVEY

60% are interested to be in the AI field

Not sure how to learn about this vast study of AI

Unsure if there is scope for UX designers in this field

30% - Have some level of knowledge through fictional movies

20% are not interested in the AI field

OUTCOME OF THIS STUDY
Final Thesis presentation _ Neha Tadepal
CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT

DESIGN CRITERIA 

  1. The solution must enable UX Designers to obtain fundamental knowledge and a thorough understanding of AI opportunities.

  2. It should enable UX Designers to take part in the AI field.

  3. It should be accessible to reach UX Designers across the globe.

  4. It should be focused on communicating the broad spectrum of possibilities for User Experience design in the AI field.

FRAMEWORK OF THE GUIDE & PLANNER

The cycle begins with the recognition of AI & UX areas. It also shares AI types, evolution, UX Designer characteristics, and the future of UX.

Reiteration is critical to promote continuous growth and it discusses the impact of change due to the increasing adoption of AI by various industries.

Final Thesis presentation _ Neha Tadepal

Focuses on understanding AI technology, UX Designers, and UX. It begins by sharing the scope of AI for UX.

Focuses on creating a plan after having understood the challenges, opportunities that exist in the AI field for UX designers.

RESEARCH CONCLUSIONS

UX Designers must -

  1. Be knowledgeable of AI fundamental principles and benefits.

  2. Understand the language of AI data scientists.

  3. Network and thrive in a community of AI technologists.

  4. Make a sense of challenges with AI and think outside the box.

RESEARCH PROCESS SNAPSHOT
RESEARCH SPACE
Final Thesis presentation _ Neha Tadepal
RESEARCH APPROACH
Final Thesis presentation _ Neha Tadepal
DATA COLLECTION

BASIC CRITERIA FOR:

SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT INTERVIEWS

  • Organizations that already work with Artificial Intelligence. 

  • International Organizations.

SURVEY

  • Organizations that already work with Artificial Intelligence.

  • International Organizations.

  • UX designers in the AI field at entry-level.

Final Thesis presentation _ Neha Tadepal
DATA ANALYSIS
Final Thesis presentation _ Neha Tadepal
Final Thesis presentation _ Neha Tadepal
RESEARCH LIMITATIONS

  1. Few participants from certain organizations did not reveal the practices of AI.

  2. Only a small sample is used for research.

  3. UX Experts from various areas who are currently in the AI field were interviewed.

  4. The geographical location of the researcher and organizations.

  5. Lack of expert interviews with data scientists in the AI field.

FURTHER RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

  1. Various types of organizations and adaption of the “UX Designers Guide and Planner for the AI field” to meet their needs.

  2. The results of using the “UX Designers Guide and Planner for the AI field” must be tested to continually improve the concept.

  3. Develop a more co-created guide and planner to help everyone across various departments reach a step closer to uncovering the field of AI. 

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