User Research with Humans vs. AI - Jakob Nielsen on UX
Summary: Beware the allure of fully replacing humans with AI in user research! AI offers many benefits in user research and can enhance, but not replace, the human touch in user-centered design. It cannot replicate the surprises and nuances that make real customers invaluable as study participants.
Two days ago, my April Fools’ Day hoax discussed using AI to conduct usability testing with another AI serving as the test user. That piece was a joke, and all my arguments were false. In contrast, the article you’re reading now is true and represents my genuine analysis of the potential for using AI in user research.
There is indeed some potential for using AI to cut costs and gain a number of benefits. But ultimately, user-centered design must be about the users, who are humans. (One of my favorite UX slogans is “UX Is People.”)
The user is at the center of everything in UX. Icons, data windows, and menus all exist to serve that individual human being. UX Is People. (Ideogram)
