Shifting My Mindset: AI as a Partner, Not a Tool
I used to see AI as just another tool in my arsenal. But here's the thing—if you feed it generic inputs, you're going to get generic outputs. The real magic happens when you treat AI as a collaborative partner across every aspect of your UX practice.
Here's how I've restructured my workflow to leverage AI as a strategic partner in six key areas:
AI as My Design Partner
Instead of starting from a blank canvas, AI helps me:
Generate early concepts during ideation sessions
Critique my work objectively, catching blind spots I might miss
Identify gaps in my design thinking before they become problems
Brainstorm unhappy paths and edge cases I hadn't considered
Map and analyze user journeys for potential friction points
AI as My Product Partner
Product strategy becomes more data-driven when AI helps me:
Groom and prioritize backlogs based on user impact
Align features to KPIs and product roadmaps
Conduct competitive analysis and assess market fit
Define table stakes and MVP scope more systematically
Navigate stakeholder dynamics—from managing pushback to securing resources and crafting compelling presentations
Create comprehensive customer journey maps
Transform insights into actionable artifacts that teams actually use
Connect design decisions to acceptance criteria
AI as My Research Partner
Research becomes more thorough and systematic:
Develop and refine interview questions and research plans
Synthesize findings by identifying patterns and extracting key insights
Rank insights by frequency and impact for better prioritization
Create executive summaries and research debriefs that stakeholders can quickly digest
AI as My Development Partner
Handoffs become smoother when AI helps me:
Anticipate developer questions before they arise
Identify all potential edge cases and error states during design
Brainstorm solutions for complex logic problems
Create comprehensive handoff documentation that reduces back-and-forth
AI as My Brand and Content Partner
Content creation becomes more strategic:
Craft compelling copy that aligns with brand voice
Develop brand narratives that resonate with users
Plan content calendars based on user needs and business goals
Stay current with market and content trends
Build templates and prompt libraries for consistent output
AI as My Business Partner
Design decisions carry more weight when AI helps me:
Align design work with OKRs and KPIs from the start
Extract UX opportunities from town halls and earnings calls
Build compelling ROI cases for design initiatives
Identify high-impact projects that move the needle
Learn from relevant case studies across industries
Navigate complex stakeholder relationships more effectively
AI as My Accessibility Partner
Inclusive design becomes more comprehensive:
Audit designs for accessibility issues before development
Ensure GDPR, HIPAA, and KYC compliance from the design phase
Identify blind spots in user consideration
Role-play as users with disabilities to uncover usability barriers
Expand inclusive design thinking beyond my own perspective
Example Prompts That Work
Here are some specific prompts that have proven effective:
For accessibility audits: "Analyze this Figma prototype for WCAG 2.1 AA violations. List the top 3 issues and suggest specific fixes."
For development handoffs: "Suggest ARIA labels and alt tags that I should include in the dev handoff so this site is usable for screen reader users."
For inclusive design: "What user groups am I not considering in this design? Are there demographics who may struggle to understand or use this interface?"
For user testing: "Act as a [specific user with disability]. What problems would you encounter when trying to complete this task?"
The Human Element Remains Critical
As I continue integrating AI into my practice, I've realized something important: the technology amplifies both good and bad UX thinking. Your foundational skills need to be sharper than ever to effectively evaluate AI outputs, catch inconsistencies, and maintain design quality.
AI doesn't replace UX expertise—it demands more of it. The designers who thrive will be those who can seamlessly blend AI capabilities with strong design fundamentals and critical thinking.