AI: First New UI Paradigm in 60 Years

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Sep 16, 2023
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AI: First New UI Paradigm in 60 Years
The history of computing has seen the evolution of user-interface paradigms, with each new paradigm revolutionizing the way users interact with computers. Currently, we are on the brink of experiencing the third paradigm shift in user-interface technology, brought about by artificial intelligence (AI).
The first UI paradigm, batch processing, emerged around 1945. Users would specify a complete workflow for the computer to execute, and there was no back-and-forth interaction between the user and the computer. The UI was simply a batch of punched cards, serving as a single point of contact.
In 1964, time-sharing introduced the second UI paradigm: command-based interaction. Users and computers would take turns, with the user issuing one command at a time. This allowed users to assess the situation after each command and modify future commands accordingly. Command-based interaction brought a significant improvement in usability compared to batch processing.
For the past four decades, the graphical user interface (GUI) has dominated the user experience (UX) landscape, starting with the launch of the Macintosh in 1984. However, the rise of AI systems like ChatGPT is paving the way for a new UI paradigm, one that shifts the locus of control from the user to the computer.
With AI-powered systems, users no longer need to tell the computer how to perform a task. Instead, they can simply specify the outcome they desire. This represents the third UI paradigm: intent-based outcome specification. The user communicates what they want, and the AI system takes care of the rest.
This new paradigm offers a more natural and intuitive way of interacting with computers. Users can express their intentions in plain language, and the AI system will understand and execute the desired actions. The reliance on specific commands or graphical elements is reduced, but not entirely eliminated. Clicking or tapping on a screen remains a crucial aspect of user interaction, and it will continue to coexist with the new intent-based paradigm.
One challenge with the current chat-based interaction style of AI systems is the requirement for users to articulate their problems as prose text. Recent literacy research suggests that a significant portion of the population in rich countries may struggle to express their needs effectively. This highlights the need for improved usability in AI systems to ensure that a wider range of users can benefit from their capabilities.
To maximize the usability of AI systems, prompt engineering plays a crucial role. Prompt engineers fine-tune the AI models to produce the desired results by tickling them in the right spot. This democratization of AI usability is reminiscent of the transformation brought about by Google's search engine, which made information retrieval accessible to anyone.
In the future, AI systems will likely adopt a hybrid user interface that combines elements of both intent-based and command-based interfaces. While the intent-based paradigm will take center stage, the command-based paradigm will still have a role to play. This hybrid approach will allow users to have more granular control over specific actions while benefiting from the simplicity and efficiency of intent-based interaction.
Before we conclude, here are three actionable pieces of advice for designing AI-powered user interfaces:
- 1. Prioritize Usability: As AI becomes more prevalent in various domains, organizations should focus on making AI systems more user-friendly. Investing in usability improvements can give businesses a significant competitive advantage.
- 2. Consider User Articulation: Recognize that not all users will be proficient in expressing their needs in prose text. Design AI interfaces that can understand and interpret a range of communication styles, allowing users to express their intentions effectively.
- 3. Embrace Hybrid Interfaces: Rather than discarding existing UI paradigms, embrace a hybrid approach that combines the best elements of different paradigms. This allows for more flexibility and caters to a wider range of user preferences and needs.
In conclusion, AI is ushering in the first new UI paradigm in over 60 years. The shift towards intent-based outcome specification revolutionizes the way users interact with computers, giving them the ability to communicate what they want, rather than how to do it. As AI continues to advance, prioritizing usability, accommodating different communication styles, and adopting hybrid interfaces will be key to unlocking its full potential and delivering a seamless user experience.
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