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Toward Designer-AI Collaboration: Empowering UX Designers with Human-Centered AI Tools
Halmstad University, School of Information Technology.ORCID iD: 0009-0005-6616-0271
2026 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

This thesis explores how AI-powered tools can be designed to support designer-AI collaboration in user experience design, with a focus on professional practice in high-stakes contexts. While AI offers predictive and generative capabilities based on large-scale data, its use in safety-critical systems raises challenges related to opacity, over-reliance, and the erosion of creativity and skill development. In response, this thesis adopts a human-centered approach to explore designers’ needs, expectations, and engagement with AI in high-stakes contexts.

The thesis comprises five papers, including a systematic review and empirical studies in which expert designers co-designed and evaluated an AI-supported prototype. The synthesized findings were developed into a framework that highlights designer-AI collaboration as a situated and relational practice shaped by the interplay of context, designer characteristics, tool design, and AI-related elements. This thesis focuses on AI-supported data sensemaking, informing high-stakes design decisions with insights derived from user interaction data.

Designers’ needs, expertise, trust, and AI literacy influence how they interpret, assess, and interact with AI tools, while agency, information, and interaction enable effective, meaningful, and critical engagement with AI. This work contributes to HCI and design research by identifying the key elements and their interrelations that shape designer-AI collaboration in high-stakes contexts. It foregrounds the challenges of designing AI-supported tools that help designers remain grounded in real-world practice without diminishing contextual richness, while creating interaction paradigms that support flexible enactment and negotiation of agency. To operationalize these insights, this thesis presents a question bank to guide thoughtful inquiry and critical reflection in the design and development of human-centered and context-sensitive AI-supported design tools.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Halmstad: Halmstad University Press, 2026. , p. 105
Series
Halmstad University Dissertations ; 142
Keywords [en]
Human-centered AI, Designer-AI collaboration, Design research, High-stakes context
National Category
Human Computer Interaction Design
Research subject
Smart Cities and Communities, REBEL
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-58875ISBN: 978-91-90123-01-0 (print)ISBN: 978-91-90123-02-7 (electronic)OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hh-58875DiVA, id: diva2:2056116
Public defence
2026-06-02, R4129, Kristian IV:s väg 3, Halmstad, 13:15 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2026-05-04 Created: 2026-04-28 Last updated: 2026-05-04Bibliographically approved
List of papers
1. Designing With AI: A Systematic Literature Review on the Use, Development, and Perception of AI-Enabled UX Design Tools
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Designing With AI: A Systematic Literature Review on the Use, Development, and Perception of AI-Enabled UX Design Tools
2025 (English)In: Advances in Human-Computer Interaction, ISSN 1687-5893, E-ISSN 1687-5907, Vol. 2025, no 1, p. 1-18, article id 3869207Article, review/survey (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the user experience (UX) design process is reshaping design practice and underlining the importance of understanding how AI is used to support the UX design process. This systematic literature review has identified and analyzed 83 empirical studies to answer the question: How does human–computer interaction research literature address the use, development, and perception of AI-supported UX design tools? Findings illustrate that the most common use for AI is to boost efficiency in evaluative activities of the design process. In addition, there is some use of generative AI tools to support ideation and prototyping or to simulate users. The reviewed literature underscores issues of potential overreliance on automation and a technology-first approach in developing AI design tools without involving designers. The study outlines future directions for developing AI-enabled design tools that support creativity and design work while preserving human-centric values. Copyright © 2025 Yi Luo. Advances in Human-Computer Interaction published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, 2025
National Category
Design Human Computer Interaction Production Engineering, Human Work Science and Ergonomics Artificial Intelligence
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-56291 (URN)10.1155/ahci/3869207 (DOI)001470184200001 ()2-s2.0-105005169105 (Scopus ID)
Funder
Vinnova, FFI EMK
Available from: 2025-07-08 Created: 2025-07-08 Last updated: 2026-04-28Bibliographically approved
2. Navigating from data-driven design to designing with ML: A case study of truck HMI system design
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Navigating from data-driven design to designing with ML: A case study of truck HMI system design
2024 (English)In: Proceedings of the Design Society, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2024, Vol. 4, p. 2119-2128Conference paper, Published paper (Refereed)
Abstract [en]

Data-driven design is believed to be empowered by machine learning (ML) with advanced pattern classification and prediction. However, research on how ML can be used to support automotive human-machine interface (HMI) design is lacking. We presented a case study of truck HMI design to understand the current data use and expectations of ML in the design process. Findings show decentralized data practices, the role of expertise in decision-making, and the envisioned reactive use of ML, where we underscore the implications for advancing human-ML collaboration in designing future truck HMI systems. © 2024 Proceedings of the Design Society. All rights reserved.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2024
Series
Proceedings of the Design Society, E-ISSN 2732-527X
Keywords
data-driven design, design process, machine learning, truck HMI, ML user needs
National Category
Human Computer Interaction
Research subject
Smart Cities and Communities, REBEL
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-53419 (URN)10.1017/pds.2024.214 (DOI)2-s2.0-85194108662 (Scopus ID)
Conference
2024 International Design Society Conference (Design 2024), Cavtat, Dubrovnik, Croatia, 20-23 May, 2024
Funder
Vinnova, 2021-05045
Available from: 2024-05-27 Created: 2024-05-27 Last updated: 2026-04-28Bibliographically approved
3. Explaining What Matters: Perceptions of AI Explanations in an AI-Powered Data Analytics Platform for UX Design
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Explaining What Matters: Perceptions of AI Explanations in an AI-Powered Data Analytics Platform for UX Design
2025 (English)In: Design, User Experience, and Usability (HCII 2025): Proceedings, Part VI / [ed] Martin Schrepp, Cham: Springer, 2025, p. 20-35Conference paper, Published paper (Refereed)
Abstract [en]

As artificial intelligence continues to permeate working life, the integration of AI in truck UX design is gaining prominence. While the majority of AI research, especially in the field of Explainable AI (XAI), is rooted in a technical perspective, this work explores and unpacks the user perspective by addressing the research question: “How do UX designers of truck HCI systems perceive AI explanations in an AI-powered data analytics platform?”. To address this question, a prototype of such a platform was co-designed and evaluated by 17 experts in truck UX design. Findings highlight that for AI explanations to be perceived as useful, they need to be understandable, contextually relevant, and verifiable, with the ability to dynamically adapt to users’ evolving knowledge and objectives. These findings extend prior research by emphasizing the importance of contextual and human-centered values in designing and developing AI-enabled systems with explainability, and by calling for future transdisciplinary collaboration to address evolving contextual user needs in truck UX design and beyond. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Cham: Springer, 2025
Series
Lecture Notes in Computer Science ; 15799
Keywords
AI Explanations, Contextual Relevance, Explainable AI, Human-centered AI, Truck UX Design, User Perception
National Category
Human Computer Interaction Computer Sciences Design Artificial Intelligence
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-56676 (URN)10.1007/978-3-031-93236-6_2 (DOI)2-s2.0-105007810124 (Scopus ID)978-3-031-93235-9 (ISBN)978-3-031-93236-6 (ISBN)
Conference
14th International Conference on Design, User Experience, and Usability, DUXU 2025, held as part of the 27th HCI International Conference, HCII 2025, Gothenburg, Sweden, 22-27 June, 2025
Available from: 2025-07-08 Created: 2025-07-08 Last updated: 2026-04-28Bibliographically approved
4. Developing AI literacy through design education
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Developing AI literacy through design education
2025 (English)In: Proceedings of Nordes 2025: Relational Design / [ed] Andrew Morrison; Alma Culén; Laurence Habib, Oslo: Design Research Society, 2025, Vol. 11, p. 327-337Conference paper, Published paper (Refereed)
Abstract [en]

The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) in recent years is observable by its increasing adoption in various domains. Generative AI technologies have furthered this trend, yet AI remains opaque by nature and design. This poses challenges for designers of AI-enabled products, who need to understand materials properties to design effectively, emphasising a need for AI literacy, a multidimensional competency encompassing ethical, cognitive, and practical skills. The study explores how three distinct design practices, Research through Design, Human-Centred Design, and Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence, can help students develop AI literacy. We carried out the study with a class of eighteen graduate students, who engaged in designing an AI-enabled service, applied the three design practices, and documented their design process. By analysing their design deliverables, the study discusses how students evolved their AI literacy over one design course and provides preliminary insights into how a designerly approach can help cultivate AI literacy.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Oslo: Design Research Society, 2025
Series
Nordic design research conference, E-ISSN 1604-9705 ; 11
Keywords
Design-Centered AI
National Category
Design
Research subject
Smart Cities and Communities, REBEL
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-58417 (URN)10.21606/nordes.2025.25 (DOI)978-1-912294-63-3 (ISBN)
Conference
11th Nordic Design Research Society (NORDES) Conference, Oslo, Norway, 6-8th August, 2025
Available from: 2026-02-13 Created: 2026-02-13 Last updated: 2026-04-28Bibliographically approved
5. Sensemaking With/About AI: Unpacking Design Professionals’ Data Sensemaking Styles in a High-Stakes Industrial Context
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Sensemaking With/About AI: Unpacking Design Professionals’ Data Sensemaking Styles in a High-Stakes Industrial Context
2026 (English)In: CHI '26: Proceedings of the 2026 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems / [ed] Nuria Oliver; David A. Shamma; Heloisa Candello; Pablo Cesar; Pedro Lopes; Alessandro Bozzon; Thomas Kosch; Vera Liao; Xiaojuan Ma; Valentino Artizzu; Fiona Draxler; Gustavo López; Anke V. Reinschluessel; Xin Tong; Phoebe O. Toups Dugas, New York: The Association for Computing Machinery , 2026, p. 1-15, article id 691Conference paper, Published paper (Refereed)
Abstract [en]

Designers face opportunities and challenges in leveraging AI to make sense of increasingly available data. There is limited research on how designers engage with AI in data sensemaking to inform design decisions, especially in safety-critical contexts. To address this knowledge gap, we co-designed and evaluated an AI-supported prototype that supports data exploration using truck interaction design as a case study. Our analysis highlighted a bidirectional relationship between AI and data, where designers used AI to gain an overview of user scenarios, and used data to contextualize and validate AI outputs. We identified three sensemaking styles, illustrating how designers flexibly orchestrated expertise, data, and interaction to interpret AI outputs. Our findings contribute to an in-depth characterization of AI-supported data sensemaking and offer implications for designing tools that empower diverse, situated, and critical engagement with data through AI in high-stakes settings. © 2026 Copyright held by the owner/author(s).

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
New York: The Association for Computing Machinery, 2026
Keywords
Data, Data-driven design, Designing with AI, Human-centered AI, Sensemaking
National Category
Human Computer Interaction Other Engineering and Technologies Design
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-58873 (URN)10.1145/3772318.3790672 (DOI)979-8-4007-2278-3 (ISBN)
Conference
CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI 2026), Barcelona Spain, April 13-17, 2026
Available from: 2026-04-28 Created: 2026-04-28 Last updated: 2026-04-30Bibliographically approved

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