Today, an estimated 1 in 4 venture dollars globally goes to startups that incorporate artificial intelligence in their business. It’s remarkable to think that just a few years ago, before the launch of OpenAI and ChatGPT, most people were not aware of how AI could be integrated into the products and services they use every day. This rapid adoption means that AI has revolutionized the way we interact with technology; from generating new ideas to automating repetitive tasks, AI's potential is vast and varied.
At Friendly, we've rapidly built up experience designing for products that leverage AI. This blog post highlights some of the best practices we've identified to help you integrate AI seamlessly into your products.
One of the most critical aspects of designing for AI is to ensure that the technology is integrated into the user's workflow rather than disrupting it. Users expect responsiveness and a smooth experience, which can be achieved by providing prompt examples, quick actions, and a well-designed "waiting" experience.
Reference to data sources is also essential for fact-checking, as AI models can sometimes produce misleading information. For instance, the Covatic AI message creator exemplifies this approach by generating new notifications based on an initial user input, acting as a helpful assistant rather than a standalone feature.
AI should enhance a user's capabilities rather than overshadow them. The goal is to make users feel smarter and more efficient. AI can take over complex or repetitive tasks, allowing users to define the direction while the AI completes the job. This approach ensures that users feel they have achieved better results without losing their sense of autonomy.
Combining multiple AI tools can create powerful features, such as using AI prompt images followed by Azure image matching, thereby amplifying the user's productivity and satisfaction.
Despite its potential, AI can be misused or poorly implemented, leading to user frustration and inefficiency. A common mistake is placing too much emphasis on the AI itself rather than the benefits provided; AI should not be shoehorned into a product where it's not needed.
Understanding the user's needs and capabilities is crucial—can they write a good enough prompt, for example? Another pitfall is delivering poor results, which can make users feel they could have done better manually.
Privacy and data handling are also significant concerns. Transparency about how user data is utilized and ensuring a choice between AI and manual options are vital for user trust and satisfaction.
Designing for AI requires a fine balance between innovation and user-centricity. By integrating AI into the user's workflow, empowering them, and avoiding common pitfalls, you can create products that not only leverage the power of AI but also provide a seamless and enriching user experience.
We continue to refine these best practices to help our clients harness the full potential of AI in their products. Our expert team’s thoughtful approach to visual design and user-centric practices make us the ideal partner for any AI-driven project.
Take a look at some of our recent work that features AI:
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