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Keeping Up with Emerging Technologies in UX Design

User Experience Consultant

The introduction of emerging technologies has provoked a rising demand for personalised and immersive digital experiences. This presents UX designers with the task of familiarising themselves with these technologies and integrating them now more than ever. For example, artificial intelligence (AI) which creates tailored, adaptive, and predictive user experiences has become a user expectation more than a user want – this calls for not only the upskilling of UX designers, but their collaboration with specialists in the emerging tech field.

In this article, we’re going to explore the impact of emerging technologies on UX design, reflect on some of the challenges that might arise as a result, and take a look into what the future may hold for next-gen tech and the UX industry.

So, how does AI influence personalised experiences?

Think back to a time in which you were navigating a website and the ‘help’ section wasn’t quite sufficient enough to answer any burning questions you had. You might’ve abandoned the site completely or wished that you could have even spoken to someone from customer support. Today, most websites now have AI-powered chatbots – personalised, real-time customer support. While chatbots aren’t real people, they are clever tools that have learnt from past interactions and therefore try to offer tailored responses that find relevant solutions for users. Over time, chatbots are becoming more conversational and human-like, which has the benefit of saving time and reducing the frustration of long wait times.

Similarly, you’ve probably encountered predictive analytics, in which AI analyses your user behaviour data to predict what your future actions will be. For example, if you’ve been watching quite a few true crime documentaries on Netflix, you’re probably wondering why Netflix keeps suggesting more of these to you – this is because Netflix has received data on your viewing history and uses this to deliver more customised content and product recommendations in line with what you’ve shown you’re interested in. They know you so well!

 

How might the rise of AR/VR play a role in creating immersive digital experiences?

AR/VR (augmented and virtual reality) creates fully immersive digital worlds or overlays virtual elements onto the real world. In turn, users can interact with lifelike environments and digital objects in real-time! For instance, if you’re browsing make-up products online and wondering if a specific red lipstick would suit you, some websites feature a built-in AR functionality which would enable you to virtually try on the shade through the use of your camera. IKEA’s virtual furniture placement is also a great example of AR. It’s a relatively quick and easy way to tell if that stylish oak storage unit would look and feel at home in your living room…and can we see how a wool rug would look in there too while we’re at it?

This offers a much more interactive edge to your shopping experience and gives you more confidence when it comes to the purchases that you make. Some AR and VR platforms even allow users to socialise in 3D virtual environments – this introduces a whole new world in which people connect and interact online.

 

Voice user interfaces and the challenges of designing for non-visual interaction

Voice user interfaces (VUIs) are systems that allow users to interact with technology using voice commands rather than traditional input methods such as typing or tapping. Speech recognition is used to interpret spoken words and phrases. If you’ve asked Alexa to play a song, or asked Siri to add strawberries to your shopping list, these voice assistants listen to you and process your spoken language to understand these commands. Other common uses of VUIs include smart home control (e.g., lights and thermostats) and information retrieval, such as asking questions about the likelihood of rain next Saturday without having to browse on a screen.

While convenient, VUIs pose multiple challenges. If there’s noise in the background, it’s unlikely that voice assistants will be able to pick up your commands. Ambiguous or incomplete commands can also interfere with voice interfaces that require context. VUIs must also be adapted to function despite errors in phrasing or pronunciation. Another large challenge is based on privacy concerns – always-listening devices such as Google Assistant are required to ensure that user interactions are secure, all while providing transparency about how voice data is collected and used.

 

What are the challenges for UX designers?

While the world of growing technology is exciting and convenient, it also presents the UX designers behind the magic with a set of challenges. On the one hand, it can be exhausting to keep up-to-date with brand-new tools, frameworks, and platforms as they quickly evolve. On the other hand, as these technologies advance and become more common, expectations grow – we’re already becoming accustomed to virtual try-ons and predictive analytics, so designers must anticipate and adapt to changing user needs. There’s a pressure to deliver on time, too – keeping up to speed with technological evolution while delivering quality, user-friendly designs within tight deadlines can be overwhelming, and lead designers to struggle with the balance between innovation, practicality, and quality of digital products.

Designing new interfaces that have that ‘wow’ factor also means a commitment to lifelong learning – each new technology comes with picking up new design tools that can be highly complex and time-consuming. Emerging tech concepts such as machine learning, conversational design and spatial computing are indeed tricky, but are becoming imperative to learn now.

Ambitious, boundary-pushing designers might also face a unique challenge: designing with emerging technology calls for learning how to push creative boundaries while understanding that there are technical limitations of exciting new platforms.

It’s also important to acknowledge that overly complex or new interfaces might compromise usability. Pushing the boundaries of innovation can be overwhelming to users if excess functionality or information is packed into the experience, and it can be difficult to strike a balance between simplicity and creativity. Another fundamental issue surrounds ensuring that new tech remains accessible to users with disabilities and that inclusive experiences are integrated across all interfaces.

 

What are the skills needed to adapt to emerging technologies?

AI and machine learning, data analysis and its interpretation as well as the mastery of AR/VR tools are just some of the skills that designers need to have in their toolkits to be able to adapt. This skillset goes beyond a foundational knowledge of how AI works, and requires proficiency in design tools specific to voice interfaces. Designers will also find that there are different forms of prototyping for new tech, and they will be required to create and test these in new environments.

Another overlooked skill is the ability to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams. In order to maintain continuous learning and ensure that designs are rolled out to a high quality, UX designers will find themselves collaborating with AI specialists, developers, and data scientists to understand each team’s language and workflow.

 

And lastly, how are these technologies likely to shape the future?

Our best guess is that as emerging technologies become more integrated into our daily lives, product teams will need to prioritise ethical considerations to a higher degree. The reliance on data undoubtedly raises questions about user privacy and consent: personalisation and immersive experience can feel like a benefit, but surveillance then becomes a question – how much personalisation is too much? In order to stay ahead, keeping up with ethical design standards will be crucial.

 


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