Will AI Tools Replace UX Designers? (and How to Become Indispensable)

In this video, I'll revisit the topic of design automation and the future of UX research and design craft. With the rise of impressive generative AI tools, many designers started to question if a lot of what they're doing can soon enough be automated. To answer this, I'll cover exactly that and simple ways to ensure that you are indispensable.
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[@vaexperience]

But what do you think about it?

[@simplyaizhan]

Hi. Great video! Can I ask a question? What will happen to Junior designers and those trying to enter the field? Obviously, they don't have as much experience in solving complex problems: how can they get an advantage to at least get a job?

[@emm3784]

Well might not be it will drastically change the UX design work tomorrow but imagine what can happen in 5-10 years time

[@LightsaberPanda]

You brought up great points, several ux designers I follow I have said something similar. I'm convinced product strategy, ux research, empathy and leadership will be our biggest leverage when it comes to UX work with AI. I also think that outputs as a designer were never design deliverables to begin with. They are always business outcomes and results based on our designs.

[@yusefess]

The main problem is that most experts in this field do not really do very complex tasks in terms of problem solving. Most of the companies just ask for a beautiful output, and if it doesn't work, they change it a little. Therefore, in the next few years, a large part of these forces will be removed, and just as only very professional and expert programmers will remain in certain fields, the same thing will happen to fields such as user interface and user experience.

[@simplyaizhan]

What will happen to Junior designers and those trying to enter the field? Obviously, they don't have as much experience in solving complex problems: how can they get an advantage to at least get a job?

[@arshaikhhh]

While UI Design Will Be Changed But Not UX Cuase It Requires Creativity And Human Understanding, Feedbacks Psychology

[@louismacdonald3755]

As I am working in one of the biggest organisations in the world who are getting heavily into AI this video has given me much more comfort thank you. I

[@The_AOP]

The term AI comes with a lot of hype at the moment. Marketing strategy to call every automation an AI to gain an edge over the competition. Thanks for the video!

[@simplyaizhan]

Yes a lot of AI is actually not even AI but companies create a fake bot and then put those "AI" keywords to gain money and clients :D

[@sulmanmirza2098]

Excellent analysis and comparison of AI capabilities versus UX designers and what goes into a design process that delivers desirable outcomes and impact .... thanks !!

[@TobasscoJelly]

Instantly downloading this for my commute. 🎉

[@frogturtle]

great video. I have told my colleagues that UX is not about visuals but the thought and process behind the decision-making that creates those visuals. even if you could build an entire social media platform by typing one sentence into chatgpt, it would need extensive analysis and creativity from a UX designer to make it work for users and your business

[@vaexperience]

Well put 👍

[@LightsaberPanda]

Agreed 🤝 and you still need to sell and market a product or service. AI by itself can't sell convince people to buy into a business, only people can. And only people buy and sell from other people

[@BrianDurkin]

The one thing AI will never have is humanity. It can mimic it, but it will never be truly human so it can't replace us, just augment us to be more humane faster if we design it this way.

[@pandastory-abookseriesabou8568]

​🤟🏻 Good as always ​🍾​

[@megadeath666666]

Some designers and UX ers think, that most problems in most areas are already solved, new app is similar to something that was done before. If that's the case, then AI now has our way least may have all the knowledge to design good solutions to almost everything, except few rare cases. And it will be much faster than humans.

[@frogturtle]

but this assumes that no new products or features will ever need to exist. right now there is mixed reality which is a whole new problem space for designers. there are a million banking apps that different people use for different reasons. AI can iterate on what exists but it can’t create solutions to unique and novel problems.

[@andersonchavez5493]

Hi there! For me, sounds like UX reseracher role is going to be on demand. Also, junior profiles will need to reinforce their soft skills.

[@FriedNugget2]

By definition, humans are not logical beings and models are our best attempt at making sense of reality, which leaves out crucial nuances to make the model still comprehensible. In its current state, I feel as though these AI tools are capable of giving you a great baseline product to iterate on. It will still require deep understanding of human behavior and insight into trends and preferences to match our changing taste in what we deem to be appealing. I'm sure some companies or managers might try to use AI only for their products, but real successful products can only come from a real human being which is worth its price.

[@thefonsotube]

The more everyone on earth uses it ...the more examples it learns from...exponentially....today's "basic" will become tomorrow's "better than every master". Good luck.

[@user-hc5wf1st6n]

Exactly. In no time it’ll know which designs increase engagement & retention and shortly thereafter specific to a particular industry, demographic group, and it’ll go narrower and narrower.

[@srirakshakrishnamurthy6720]

I love your mind!

[@lollilolli4582]

Thank you for your great insights as always ! I am still not feeling confident to become a UX designer. Do you think it is too late to be one ? Do people still need so many UX designers ? Thank you very much!

[@vaexperience]

Watch this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKbTfaGGbNCFh80

[@frogturtle]

you should only not feel confident if you think UX is about visuals (output) instead of understanding and solving complex problems (outcomes) unfortunately UX is often conflated with visual design, a lot of people want a sexy portfolio with flashy visuals and to call themselves “UI/UX designers”. but true UX is the dirty work of research, mapping, ideation etc. that makes it all click for users in other words, UX is about strategy. strategy leads to outcomes. understand UX strategy and feel confident in your choice

[@lollilolli4582]

@@frogturtle Thank you 😊 The reason I am not confident is that I feel there are many senior designers out there. I have a programming background so I understand the complexity of making a digital solution.

[@frogturtle]

@@lollilolli4582 many designers have no coding background so that already helps you. there are no guarantees in life but we are not at a point yet where all the jobs are going to seniors. read UX books, learn the process. outcomes (strategy/problem solving) > output (visuals) also remember that as AI may reduce the number of jobs at a big company, it will also make it easier for entrepreneaurs to *start new companies*, and they will need UX designers. the nature of work is changing but I think UX will be around for a while. but the future is never certain. I can only speculate but no one can promise anything. it is up to you

[@DubbelDutch1]

In my opinion, it's about using AI as reverse enginering tool and picking just what's usable for UX.

[@TheMarouuu]

Good question, but I'll give you an even better one. Will there even be small-medium businesses left to work for by the time AI becomes good at UX design?

[@vaexperience]

Always :)

[@TheMarouuu]

@@vaexperience I like the optimism but I think you're in for a rude awakening. And again, AI is not even in the top 10 problems we're facing.

[@faizurrahman7791]

Ok, I find common in chat gpt is that chat gpt provide same answer in different perspective even though it has some specific word that gpt use continually so In that moment It will not replace you cause in real world this data is not on business perspective if you want to solve user problem with actual design then chat gpt is a bullshit thing from my perspective !

[@Ajel128]

While I believe the value of UX, I'm doubtful that companies realize it as much as we do especially in an economic climate that we are heading. Most companies are followers rather than leaders, even with the introduction of AI. UX is about revolutionizing things and that may sadly mean only few companies will see the value of UX. Most people in the field are labelling themselves as UX/UI designers and very few are actually solving UX problems. While this is probably because actual UX is too difficult, it can also mean most companies are just looking for pretty screens and not much else.

[@vaexperience]

Sadly yes, I'm with you on this. That was the case 20 years ago, and likely be the case going forward. So as long as people are aware of the true complexities of what UX really is like in commercial world there still will be ongoing need. Titles, tools, teams, settings will definitely morph but the essence of engaging with the users and bridging the gap between business and them is still key to any business success.

[@DB-hm7mu]

Seems like you forgot to emphasise that this video is just your very badly informed opinion.

[@vaexperience]

What is your comment then but a ego driven conclusion without any arguments to support it. At least I elaborated and drew clear examples of what UX is and is not. Don't be afraid.

[@DB-hm7mu]

@@vaexperience You are right. Taking the ego out of it though. You are MASsIVELY underestimating the capabilities of A.I to reproduce/replicate the results that you would obtain from UX research methodologies. That is actually its specialty. We like to think that human psyche is all creative an unpredictable. A.I can bypass the need to get insights from humans and can bypass the need for a human to render those insights into impactful outcomes. UX is a game of chess and machines are really good at chess.