Breaking into AI/UX: Essential Reading List and Reflections for Designers

Over the past year, I’ve been advising multiple AI startups and observing a recurring challenge: the traditional design process often falls short for AI-led products. After seeing teams repeatedly struggle to get the design right, it became clear that the conventional steps — writing user stories, building flows, designing screens, prototyping, and iterating — aren’t enough.

The biggest challenge lies in designing for infinite interactions. Unlike traditional products, AI-led experiences can generate countless unpredictable scenarios based on user inputs, making it nearly impossible to map every possible flow or outcome. These methods simply can’t keep pace with the rapid evolution of AI technologies. By the time a design pattern is finalised, the technology may have already moved forward, leaving teams scrambling to catch up.

I’ve been focused on finding new ways to design experiences that scale effectively and adapt to the unique demands of AI. This goes beyond just solving immediate problems — it’s about building frameworks that empower teams to stay ahead of the curve. My approach has been to dive deep into the intersection of design and AI, exploring not only practical resources but also the fundamental shifts required to think differently in this space.

This exploration has been both challenging and exhilarating. It’s reminded me of the early days of my career — when I first coded web pages with HTML/CSS or began designing for mobile devices over 14 years ago. Back then, the excitement was in learning how to shape entirely new experiences. Since then, digital design has often revolved around refinement — making things shinier, sprinkling a few animations here and there, and iterating on familiar patterns. It felt like we were hitting a plateau.

Now, with AI reshaping the landscape, I see a rare and exciting opportunity to break free from the usual cycle and redefine what designers can bring to the table. It’s not just about learning — it’s about staying ahead and empowering others to do the same.

This article is a curated list of the most valuable resources I’ve encountered. It serves as a practical guide to help designers grasp this new paradigm and gain the tools and knowledge needed to excel in AI design.

The list is by no means comprehensive — it’s just a starting point. However, by exploring these articles, I’m confident you’ll find your way to resources and ideas that are relevant to your journey. Many of the authors and publications featured here are leading the conversation in this space, so they’re great avenues to continue learning and staying updated.

First and foremost, it’s important to note that design principles and values don’t change.

• The medium has changed, not the purpose: This article is about familiarising yourself with AI as a new medium. While the tools and interactions may feel different, the core purpose of design remains the same.
• Design philosophy stays constant: At its heart, design is still about making life better for people. This doesn’t change, no matter how advanced or complex the technology becomes.
• Trusting your intuition: Your instincts and gut sense about what makes a good design are still valid. Use them to guide your decisions, even as you experiment with AI-driven systems.
• AI as a power tool: Think of AI as a more advanced tool in your design toolbox. It’s here to help you and your users achieve goals faster and more efficiently, not to replace the fundamental principles of good design.
• Stay grounded: While AI offers new possibilities, don’t lose sight of the basics. Focus on solving real problems, creating intuitive experiences, and enhancing human connection through design.

1. Fundamental Differences in Designing for AI

AI disrupts traditional UX by introducing dynamic, unpredictable systems. These articles highlight key differences and provide insights into adapting your mindset:

1. AI Is the First New UI Paradigm in 60 Years ~ Jakob Nielsen
   Understand how AI shifts UX from static interfaces to outcome-oriented designs.
2. The next era of design is intent-driven ~ Vamsi Batchu
   This article highlights the evolution from search-driven interactions to today’s intent-driven interactions.
3. The Future of Design ~ Stephen P. Anderson
   Explore the evolution from designing products to crafting systems that deliver outcomes.
4. AI Product Design: Identifying Skills Gaps and How to Close Them ~ Tetiana Sydorenko
   This article addresses the operational challenges of designing AI-driven products and offers practical processes to close skills gaps and improve workflows.

Key takeway: Design is shifting from a series of actions to understanding and responding to user intent & desired outcomes. Shift from static processes to dynamic frameworks to embrace AI’s complexity and rapid evolution.

2. Understanding Core Concepts

Grasp the foundational ideas shaping AI design:

1. Chatbot vs. Conversational AI ~ Intercom
   Learn the difference between simple chatbots and advanced conversational AI systems.
2. Prompts Should Be Designed, Not Engineered ~ Alex Klein
   Discover how designing effective prompts bridges user intent with AI capabilities.
3. The agentic era of UX ~ Alex Klein
   Explore how AI agents act autonomously, shifting UX design from static interfaces to collaborative, agent-driven systems.
4. Agentic AI vs. Generative AI ~ MyScale
   Differentiate between AI paradigms and their unique use cases.

Key takeway: Building a strong conceptual model equips you to approach AI design with clarity, purpose, and confidence.

3. Design Principles, Methodologies, and Patterns

Tailor your approach to AI with these practical strategies:

1. Treating AI Agents as Personas ~ Paz Perez
   Design for both the user and the AI agent by defining clear roles and behaviours.
2. The AI Design Compass: A Designer’s Guide to Shaping the AI Revolution ~ Vamsi Batchu
   Handy framework to guide you to navigate the complexities of AI-driven product design
3. Design Principles for Generative AI Applications ~ IBM Design
   Learn 6 practical principles to design GenAI interfaces that help users be more creative.
4. Exploring Alternative UX Patterns for GenAI Interfaces ~ Dan_Littlewood
   Discover innovative interaction models like mixed-modal inputs that enhance GenAI interfaces by giving users greater control and flexibility.
5. Essential Design Patterns for Crafting AI-Powered Products and Experiences ~ Soumya Choubey
   Explore a treasure trove of design patterns to simplify AI interactions and elevate your projects.
6. Reimagining prototyping with AI ~ Vamsi Batchu
   Learn how some AI tools are transforming prototyping, enabling faster, smarter iterations and redefining the design process.

Key takeaway: The best way to learn is by exploring. Experiment with AI products and emerging patterns to understand the future of design firsthand.

4. Best Practices and Heuristics

Refine and evaluate AI designs using these guidelines:

1. UX of AI by Lennart Ziburski
   Focus on ethical, transparent, and user-centric design practices.
2. My Emerging Heuristics for Assessing AI Design by Emily Campbell
   Use structured heuristics to assess AI systems for reliability and transparency.

Key Takeaway: Start by understanding what defines a good AI experience, then design backwards to achieve it.

Closing (or rather opening) statement

AI isn’t a silver bullet — it’s here today and gone tomorrow. But that’s where the excitement lies: learning, experimenting, and putting these ideas into practice.

While the tools and methods are changing, the core of design remains constant: making life better for people. AI is just another powerful tool in your toolbox, and now you’re equipped with insights and resources to wield it effectively.

The landscape is evolving quickly, and there’s so much more to learn and discover. So take it one step at a time, stay curious — you’ve got this. Remember — the magic is in the journey, not just the destination.

And before you go, don’t miss UX & Urgency: Designing in the Age of AI. A quick read to accelerate your AI design journey — no pressure!

Continuing the conversation…

To me, this is just the start of a long learning journey ahead. If you’ve come across resources or articles that should be included, feel free to share them in the comments or join the discussion in our newly formed community on X. Let’s keep the conversation going!

Disclaimer: I’ve shared my thoughts and notes with ChatGPT and used it to edit this piece for brevity. Images are also generated by ChatGPT.