Interaction design is fundamentally about creating connections between users and technology. These interactions are becoming increasingly emotional in nature. Modern touchscreens provide diverse haptic feedback that engages our sense of touch. The tone and content of design elements carry a distinctly human warmth. The systems operating behind our screens are often developed through extensive research in cognitive science and psychology. Apple, for instance, was among the first companies to incorporate deeply emotional and personal elements into their product design, creating strong bonds between users and their devices.
Now we have AI, which is becoming increasingly human-like in its capabilities and presentation. There are numerous documented cases of people becoming confused about AI’s nature and forming emotional attachments to these systems. AI chatbots provide highly personalized feedback tailored to individual users. The form of interaction itself is profoundly human: conversation through dialogue.
Technology makes it remarkably easy to influence and manipulate users. As interaction designers, we have a dual responsibility. It is important to meet our design objectives and commercial goals. However, it is equally important to avoid crossing ethical boundaries that would compromise users’ autonomy and freedom of choice. This balance defines responsible design practice.