This semester, I studied interaction art history. I learned that interaction design is not only about how something works. It also affects how people feel, think, and act. Many of the artworks we looked at were not only about how they looked. They were also about systems, actions, and how people connect with technology. These ideas made me think about design today. AI is growing fast. It is becoming a part of many tools we use. I started to ask myself: What should designers do when AI is part of what we make?
AI is no longer far away. It is already in many apps and websites. It helps people find videos, talk to chatbots, and use health tools. At first, AI looks helpful. It makes things faster and more personal. But we also need to ask deeper questions. Who made this system? Where did the data come from? Is the user still in control? These questions are not only about coding. They are also about what is right or wrong. As designers, we are the ones who bring AI closer to users. That means we have a big job to do.
One thing I often think about is control. AI can choose things for users. It picks what to watch, what to buy, or even how they feel. This might look easy, but it can also take away the user’s choice. Good design should not just be smart. It should help people choose for themselves. We should let users know when AI is helping and how it works. This helps them trust the system.
Bias is another big problem. AI learns from data. But the data can be unfair. If we don’t check it, the system can treat some people badly. This can happen in job apps, housing tools, or even games. As a student, I know I cannot fix everything now. But I think knowing about the problem is the first step.
In class, we saw artworks that asked hard questions about power and control. Some of them used machines to make people think. This showed me that design is not just for solving problems. It can also make people stop and look. Now that AI is part of design, we must not only make things work. We must also think about how they affect people.