What do you do if you want to excel as a UX researcher in the field of artificial intelligence?

1. Engage in continuous learning through courses and workshops focused on AI and UX intersection. 2. Incorporate ethics and bias awareness in your research to address the unique challenges AI presents.

To excel as a UX researcher in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), consider the following strategies: Understand AI Principles: Develop a solid understanding of AI principles, including machine learning algorithms, natural language processing, computer vision, and neural networks. Familiarize yourself with the capabilities and limitations of AI technologies to effectively integrate them into user-centric design processes. User-Centric Approach: Maintain a strong focus on user needs, behaviors, and preferences when designing AI-powered experiences. Conduct user research to gain insights into how individuals interact with AI systems, their expectations, and the impact of AI on their daily lives.

Learn the AI basics, should be straight forward. As UX researchers and designers we often times have to learn about the product first before designing or conducting research on it. But instead of just learning the theory, walk in your users shoes. Try out different AI products yourself, to get a feel for it. From there you can try to build something yourself like a simple chatbot. This will give you insights into the user experience but also into the developing part.

Major tech companies like Netflix, Amazon, and Spotify are using machine learning algorithms to create personalized recommendations based on individual user behavior and preferences. As a UX researcher, you can combine traditional methods like user interviews and surveys to understand how people perceive the relevance and value of personalized recommendations. But you could also analyze large datasets of user interaction logs, product ratings, purchase histories etc. to model pathways that lead users to accept or ignore different recommendation types. You could, for example, use clustering algorithms to group users based on their content consumption patterns.

Spotify uses machine learning to personalize music recommendations, showcasing how AI can enhance user experience through tailored content. Netflix employs AI to analyze viewing patterns, improving content recommendations and interface design for better user engagement.

From my experience, diving deep into the psychological impact of AI on users offers an alternative approach. While understanding AI technology is crucial, focusing on the human side—how users perceive, trust, and emotionally react to AI—can lead to groundbreaking insights. This human-centric research can reveal underlying fears, misconceptions, and areas of opportunity that technology-focused research might overlook. By emphasizing the emotional and psychological dimensions of AI interaction, UX researchers can contribute to developing AI products that are not only innovative but also deeply resonant with users.

Nowadays the internet presents us with unlimited options to educate ourselves, so make use of it. Follow thought leaders who frequently share insights on LinkedIn and other platforms. Subscribe to AI newsletters, attend conferences, subscribe to podcasts, and take a course. There are so many ways to learn and to stay informed, we just need to filter out the ones that are interesting to us, give us value, and match our learning habits the best. For example, if you have a daily commute, use that time to listen to an AI podcast, view AI explainer videos or read blog posts.