A Beginner's Guide to AI versus Design Thinking

In this episode, Lucy and Tracy explore the relevance of design thinking in the age of artificial intelligence.

They discuss the historical context of AI, its integration into design processes, and the importance of maintaining a humanity-centered approach.

The conversation emphasises the need for empathy, creativity, and the unique insights that only humans can provide; even as AI becomes a more prevalent tool in design thinking.

Soundbites:

7:24 - 'AI is like the Ozempic of the corporate world.'

9:10 - 'Have we been mis-using design thinking in ways AIcan now replicate easily?'

12:57 - 'How do we integrate it without losing thehuman magic? That’s the brief.'

13:49 - 'It’s amazing for breadth, but it's got jack sh*t intuition.'

23:15 - 'I basically work to the principal of AI fast, then human slow, and AI plus human intelligence is where the true magic lies.'

28:59 - 'When we test with real humans, we spot the moments AI misses - that's the stuff that matters most. Design thinking is about empathy, creativity and testing. If we skip those steps, we’re not using AI, we’re just avoiding the hard stuff.'

Key takeaways:

• Design thinking is still relevant despite AI advancements.
• AI has been in development for much longer than perceived.
• The integration of AI into design thinking should enhance, not replace, human creativity.
• Real design thinking involves messy, human processes that AI cannot replicate.
• AI can assist in initial research but should not replace human insight.
• The importance of empathy in design thinking cannot be overlooked.
• AI can help generate ideas but lacks intuition and context.
• Using AI responsibly requires understanding its limitations and biases.
• Collaboration between AI and human intelligence can lead to innovative solutions.
• Testing with real humans is essential to capture insights that AI misses.