The UX of AI: how to design for AI-powered experiences

The evolution of interaction design.

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Since the 1960s, three major shifts in interaction design have redefined how we engage with technology:

• Command-Based Interaction: Users typed precise commands using the “computer’s” language. 
• Graphic User Interfaces (GUIs): Icons, windows, and visual navigation replaced text-based commands. 
• Intent-Based Interaction: Users express their needs, and AI handles the rest. 

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The technology behind it

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At the heart of Intent-Based Interaction are agentic systems powered by LLMs. AI agents do not just respond; they interpret, adapt, and optimize based on the user intents, allowing for more natural interactions.

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‍In this paper:The shift to Intent-Based Interaction is as much a design challenge as a technical one. As AI takes on more decisions, clear, human-centered design is essential to ensure interactions feel natural, transparent, and empowering—building user trust. Our product and design expertsrecommend prioritizing the following cognitive design principles for impactful AI-powered experiences:

• Start with the User: Understand real user needs. 
• Be Transparent: Users need to understand how decisions are made. 
• Keep Users in Control: AI should assist, not take over. 
• Balance Predictability and Discovery: AI-driven experiences should feel intuitive and explorative. 
• Build Gradual Trust: Trust is earned over time. 
• Evolve with Input: AI learns and adapts. 

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Dive deeper

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AI is moving from a passive tool to an active partner, learning from interactions and anticipating needs. To explore the full potential of AI-powered experiences and how they can transform your interactions, download the complete paper now.

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