The Human Edge: AI vs UX Designers

Will UX designers succumb to AI. To assure you that we won’t be replaced anytime soon, here’s my thoughts…

4 min readAug 20, 2024

AI vs. UX Designers: Why Human-Driven Decision-Making Matters

There’s been talk in the industry about UX designers (and other roles) not wanting to succumb to AI. To assure you that we won’t be replace anytime soon, here’s my thoughts…

Ok. We’ve all heard the buzz about AI taking over our jobs and leaving us feeling uncertain about our future. But let’s take a step back and explore what AI can’t do.

There are crucial decision-making competencies that only humans possess, and they’re invaluable in ensuring project success.

So, grab a seat, and let’s dive into the areas where AI falls short.

Contextual Awareness

First up, we have “Contextual Awareness.”

Context is complex and multifaceted, comprising cultural, economic, emotional, historical, and social aspects. AI struggles to capture the intricacies of these contexts and often fails to understand the bigger picture. It’s our human touch that can navigate these complexities, making informed decisions that consider the broader implications.

Conflict Resolution

Next, we have “Conflict Resolution.”

AI has a tough time handling friction and often takes sides without considering the consequences. Remember Tay, the AI chatbot spouting offensive tweets? Yeah, AI can’t quite grasp the subtleties of resolving conflicts. We, humans, possess the ability to weigh options, analyze situations, and make thoughtful choices that consider different perspectives.

Critical Thinking

Lastly, there’s “Critical Thinking.”

It’s a uniquely human trait that combines problem-solving, curiosity, creativity, inference, and strategy. AI might excel in solving mathematical problems or generating art, but when it comes to nuanced reasoning and ethical judgments, it falls short. Our critical thinking skills, honed through lived experiences, expertise, and diverse perspectives, are irreplaceable.

Designing with AI — AMA with Tibi David

The Human Touch AI Can’t Replicate

So, here’s the bottom line: AI can’t provide contextual awareness, resolve conflicts, or think critically. If your career or skills require these competencies, you’re in luck.

Instead of fearing job displacement, you’ll be charting a new path, leveraging these essential human abilities. Your role may evolve, but it won’t disappear.

Let’s talk about the UX/UI industry, where human-driven decision-making competencies are crucial.

AI may have its strengths, but it falls short in providing contextual awareness, resolving conflicts, and thinking critically.

That’s where UX designers shine. Their role goes beyond creating visually appealing interfaces; they understand the user’s context, empathize with their needs, and make critical decisions to ensure a seamless user experience.

Imagine a scenario where AI attempts to design a user interface. It can automate certain tasks like generating layouts and selecting colours, but it lacks the human touch.

UX designers bring contextual awareness to the table.

They consider cultural, emotional, historical, and social factors that shape the user’s experience. AI simply can’t replicate this level of understanding.

In a world where AI is becoming more prevalent, it’s crucial for us to embrace our unique strengths and be conscious of the limitations of technology.

Let’s also take ChatGPT, as a case study.

While ChatGPT is capable of generating text and assisting with content creation, it doesn’t replace the role of copywriters.

Copywriters bring unique skills to the table, such as understanding brand voice, crafting compelling narratives, and tailoring messages to target audiences.

The human touch in copywriting is essential for evoking emotions, building brand connections, and delivering impactful communication that resonates with readers.

The Future Is AI Assistants

As we look to the future, let’s embrace AI as a valuable assistant in UX and UI design and recognize the indispensable contributions of human designers.

The collaboration between human creativity and AI technology will shape a vibrant and user-centric design landscape.

Do you agree?

Let me know on LinkedIn.

Let’s Connect

📥 Email hello@uxplaybook.org if you have any questions, feedback, or suggestions.

Hey 👋 I’m Chris, the Founder of UX Playbook.

Here’s more about me:

👨‍🏫 I’m a Ex-Head of Design, with 10 years of experience in tech, building products & teams

🦄 I worked with Fortune 100s like Google, Nike, Coca Cola, 21st Century Fox, and startup unicorns

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 I’ve built a community of over 62,000 designers

🤝 I’ve supported over 11,000 designers with my free UX resources, blog posts, and mentorship

🚀 I’ve been the founding designer for 8 startups

💸 I previously grew my own freelance one-person UX consultancy to $26,000/month then burnt out

Want more from me? Follow me on LinkedIn.