On the creation of new paradigms

Interesting article from godfather-of-usability Jakob Nielsen, in which he asserts that AI represents the first new UI paradigm in 60 years. Neilsen outlines 3 user interface paradigms, with AI being the 3rd. In short: “With the new AI systems, the user no longer tells the computer what to do. Rather, the user tells the computer what outcome they want. Thus, the third UI paradigm, represented by current generative AI, is intent-based outcome specification.”

(A great reminder that there didn’t even used to be a field called Interaction Design. They had to invent it because the interfaces produced by engineers were so crappy.)

Paradigm 1: Batch Processing (Around 1945)

Computer: If you can tell me exactly how to do it, I can do it pretty well, but if it fails you’ll never know why.

Person: Thank you for this giant pile of cards.

Paradigm 2: Command-Based Interaction Design (Around 1964)

Computer: Press the button.

Person: I don’t see the button.

Person: I still don’t see the button.

The Newest Paradigm: Intent-Based Outcome Specification

Computer: If you can tell me exactly what to do I can do it brilliantly.

Person: I don’t know what I want you to do.

When I think of the massive amount of work and user research that interaction designers have to do in 2023 just to make it so that a random person can figure out how to order a pizza online, I’m thinking designers aren’t going anywhere.

Conclusion: Vast opportunities and a significant need for designers to be at the forefront of defining new methods for average humans to manage their systems. This could be goooood.

BTW here are Neilsen’s 10 principles for usability which outlines exactly what’s wrong with most things. Try it next time something sucks!