Thoughts on AI, XR, UI, UX, etc. Part 2 - Redefining principles in ui/ux design

ai and xr have started a new chapter in ui/ux design where the traditional principles of discoverability, learnability, and feedback are being reshaped.

discoverability is evolving with ai’s ability to predict user needs and streamline access to features. a perfect illustration of this evolution is our growing understanding of scrolling. the “above the fold” was a thing just a few years ago. yet over time, we’ve all realized that there’s more content “below the fold,” making the “scroll” a very natural gesture, changing our interaction habits. ai is accelerating this learning process.

with the growing intuitiveness, contextualization, and personalization of ai systems, the conventional rules of learnability are becoming less relevant.

with ai providing real-time assistance and feedback, there’s less need for users to rely on explicit feedback too. the ai-driven interfaces can now self-evolve based on user feedback, responding to user needs and preferences in real time.

we’ll expect things in specific circumstances, and things will happen. imagine walking into your smart home at the end of a long day. the lights soften, your favorite relaxing music starts playing, and the thermostat adjusts to your preferred evening temperature — all without you having to lift a finger. while this is already possible today, imagine this level of experience in every vertical of our life.

we are taking all that we have learned into this new era, and unlearning certain things. as there will be a less traditional user interface, and there will be more interfaces integrated into the physical world. we will discover new ways of designing interfaces, such as the principle of ‘less is more,’ where the best user interface is almost invisible, maximizing user experience (ux) with minimal, natural ui.