Web Adventures

Design Patterns For AI Interfaces

Vitaly Friedman

Co-founder of Smashing Magazine | Senior UX lead with 19 years of experience

How people perceive AI, where we currently stand and real-life examples of products that excel at AI interaction design.

State of AI in 2024

Trust and confidence issues, AI fatigue, pain points and slowdowns in AI interfaces, what causes abandonment.

Red flags in AI interfaces

Emerging design patterns such as temperature knobs, daemons, branches, scoping, style lenses, prompt presets etc.

New design patterns for better AI experiences

Note: this course is for those of you in Europe and the US. ﻿So you've played around with ChatGPT, Bing, Claude and Gemini, wrote some prompts and you're wondering what's next? What's the hype all about? Then this course is for you. Structured designFor me, Generative AI starts to sing once we move beyond basic, one-off prompting for ourselves, and start desiging GenAI workflows and apps that really help users reaching their goals. And for that, we need a structured design approach. 3 core components of a GenAI-applicationThis course will give you an introduction into the three core components of a well-designed GenAI application: prompts, workflows and retrieval augmented generation. You'll learn theory, build small prototypes and explore GenAI tooling. And possibly one of the biggest perks: you'll connect with others in this space, and learn together! Are you a content professional? You're on your way to succes already!Understanding user needs on a task-based level and knowing how to write proper instructions are two core skills for any GenAI designer. And as a content professional, chances are that might already know how to do this! And if not, you'll probably find it quite easy and fun to learn. Small groupsHuman connection is one of my own core professional values. That's why I keep my courses extremely small: just 15 participants. This way, we'll have enough time for real interaction, experimentation and learning together.

Move beyond prompting in ChatGPT, start designing user-centered AI-applications

Provide a brief description for each module as a way to sell the value of what students will be learning throughout the course.

First Module

Second Module

Third Module

Course syllabus

Cohort 10

Monday March 3

Wednesday March 7

Monday March 10

Wednesday March 12

Course schedule

Conversation designers who want to expand their current skillset so that they can design LLM-based and hybrid conversational interfaces.

Technical writers and knowledge base managers who are curious how GenAI can turn your static knowledge into interactive user support.

Content professionals who want to optimise their content workflows with Generative AI or want to move into a broader GenAI design role.

Who is this course for

What you’ll get out of this course

You'll learn how to use user-task analysis and the task-flow mapping canvas to sketch the broad design of your GenAI app.

A solid understanding of the GenAI design process

The system prompt is the beating heart of a GenAI app. We'll start system prompt design from scratch, and design our way up to prompts that are robust and useful.

Learn to design with  system prompts

Contrary to conversational flows, AI-workflows are all about getting things done. You'll learn how to break down a user task into its individual components and where to apply GenAI (and where to keep the human in the loop :-) )

Learn to design AI-workflows

RAG, or talk-to-your-document, is one of the most popular use cases for GenAI. But uploading your 200-page document and then being able to ask it a question...how user-centered is that? I'll teach you some design techniques for making your RAG way more interactive.

Learn to design interactive RAG

I'll upload most of the theory of this course upfront in bite-sized videos. This leaves plenty of time for co-building sessions and demos.

Hands-on cobuild sessions for small and manageable projects. With examples that you can try rebuilding yourself!

There is so much more out there than just ChatGPT! I'll use different tools in each session, so you get an idea of GenAI tooling and support.

Learn new GenAI tools

Leverage your content and conversational UX expertise to design user-centered GenAI  applications

Maaike Groenewege

Cohort 8 

Cohort 10 - US and EUR - Mondays and Wednesdays

The AI Revolution is Just BeginningSince ChatGPT's landmark debut in late 2022, we've witnessed a seismic shift in how businesses and consumers view AI. What started as a fascinating chatbot has sparked a fundamental transformation across industries. Large Language Models, once considered cutting-edge, are now table stakes. As we move from GenAI to Agentic AI, the pace of innovation shows no signs of slowing.The message is clear: AI isn't just another tech trend—it's becoming the core of how products and services will be built and delivered. Whether you're in B2C or B2B, your products will either evolve to leverage AI or risk becoming obsolete. The AI Execution ChallengeBut here's the paradox: While AI technology races forward, many product teams are still struggling with the basics of building successful AI products. If you're a product or design leader, you've likely experienced the pressure to "get something out there with AI." Companies are rushing to implement solutions, driven by top-down mandates, competitive pressure, or technological FOMO.The reality? Successful AI products aren't born from rushing to implementation. They come from thoughtful strategy, careful validation, and deliberate planning that creates genuine value for users and business. Right now, teams are:- Jumping into AI implementation without proper strategic deliberation- Struggling to identify which problems truly need AI solutions- Missing alignment with critical user needs in the rush to deploy- Lacking frameworks to evaluate and validate AI opportunities- Unable to effectively communicate the "why" behind AI initiatives But does it have to be this way? You can learn to evaluate and strategize AI initiatives with confidence. You can develop clear frameworks for validating AI opportunities. You can create compelling roadmaps that align stakeholders around a shared vision.This is exactly what you'll master in this course. What you will learn: - How to identify which problems truly need AI solutions- How to evaluate AI opportunities using proven frameworks- How to build user trust in AI through thoughtful design- How to craft AI experiences users will actually adopt- How to validate AI features before heavy investment- How to choose the right AI interfaces for your use case- How to define data requirements for AI success- How to plan for responsible AI implementation- How to measure AI product success meaningfully- How to communicate AI strategy to stakeholders- How to align teams around your AI vision- How to create AI roadmaps that drive real value- How to assess technical feasibility early- How to prototype AI features with no-code tools to get buy-in Our ApproachThis course is designed to transform how you think about and approach AI product opportunities. If you engage fully with the course, you'll make a fundamental shift from "How do we add AI to our product?" to "How do we strategically create value with AI?" You'll develop the muscle memory to instantly recognize good AI opportunities, ask the right questions, and make informed strategic decisions. Throughout the program, we'll move beyond theoretical frameworks to tackle real challenges you're facing through AMA sections of the workshop. We'll explore the nuances of different AI use cases, examine edge cases that challenge conventional thinking, and work through examples that build your strategic instincts. Every framework and approach we teach comes from real-world experience leading AI initiatives—successes and failures included. We've specifically designed this course to build your confidence through practice. Each week builds upon the previous learnings, helping you develop a natural intuition for AI product strategy. All sessions are recorded, and frameworks are documented so you can revisit and reinforce your learning as you lead future AI initiatives.

Plan Your First AI Prototype with Help from Seasoned AI Professionals

8:00 - 9:30am Pacific Time11:00 - 12:30pm Eastern Time5:00 - 6:30pm British Standard Time AI Product Discovery WorkshopThis workshop includes time to practice the frameworks we're learning with group breakouts and hands-on exercises. Recording will be available.

Tuesday, December 3rd

8:00 - 9:30am Pacific Time11:00 - 12:30pm Eastern Time5:00 - 6:30pm British Standard Time Design Considerations for AI SystemsGet ready to tour the world of innovative UI user experiences. Recording will be available.

Wednesday, December 4th

8:00 - 9:30am Pacific Time11:00 - 12:30pm Eastern Time5:00 - 6:30pm British Standard Time Data &amp; Technical Plans for AI ProductsWe'll dive deep into data considerations and how to choose between emerging architecture frameworks in AI systems. Recording will be available.

Tuesday, December 10th

8:00 - 9:30am Pacific Time11:00 - 12:30pm Eastern Time5:00 - 6:30pm British Standard Time AI Protoyping and ValidationGet ready for a fast-paced ride through the world of tool for AI prototyping and validation. Recording will be available.

Wednesday, December 11th

Put aside 2-3 hours to work on your AI project idea between sessions. You'll be guided with a workbook to consider the most important decision points.

Weekly projects

Join our Slack community that lives on even beyond the course! Network with like-minded product and design leaders, and get feedback on your projects and progress.

Network & Get Feedback

Product Leaders &amp; Founders Leading AI initiatives or building AI products? Learn to evaluate opportunities and create roadmaps that deliver

Design &amp; Research Leaders Shape the future of AI experiences. Learn to uncover user needs, design trustworthy AI interactions, and validate

Innovation Consultants Guide clients through AI transformation. Learn frameworks to evaluate opportunities and create actionable strategies

This course is NOT for aspiring product and business leaders hoping to use AI to gain their first experience in software development.

Key Outcomes

Learn to identify and validate AI opportunities that deliver real value. Move beyond the hype to uncover genuine user needs and business opportunities that AI can uniquely solve.

Define Winning AI Opportunities

Master the principles of designing AI interfaces that users trust and love. Learn to create experiences that balance automation with user control, transparency with simplicity.

Craft AI User Experiences
 

Develop comprehensive strategies that address data requirements, model selection, and technical feasibility. Learn to make informed decisions about AI capabilities and resource needs.

Create Actionable AI Strategies
 

Master the principles of AI product design that build user confidence. Learn how to create experiences that are transparent, intuitive, and aligned with user expectations in the AI era.

Design for Trust & Adoption
 

Build compelling narratives around your AI initiatives. Create strategic documents and presentations that communicate your vision and gain buy-in from leadership and stakeholders.

Drive Stakeholder Alignment
 

Learn to assess AI implementation options and make informed decisions about technology choices. Develop criteria for selecting the right tools and approaches that align with your product goals.

Evaluate Technical Approaches
 

Create a portfolio of strategic artifacts including opportunity assessments, user journey maps, data strategies, and product roadmaps that showcase your AI product leadership capabilities.

Build Your Strategic Portfolio
 

Learn to strategize, validate, and plan AI products that deliver value. Leave with a  plan to build your first Minimum *Lovable* AI Product!

Rupa Chaturvedi

Polly Allen

Cohort 1

Cohort 2

The AI Tech Revolution is Here, But User Experience is Lagging Behind As AI rapidly transforms industries, businesses are racing to integrate it into their products. Yet, many are overlooking one critical factor: user experience. Powerful AI algorithms are only part of the equation—without thoughtful design, these technologies risk alienating users, creating frustration, and failing to deliver meaningful value. The problem? Designing for AI isn't the same as designing for traditional software products. It requires a new way of thinking, one that blends user-centered design principles with an understanding of AI’s capabilities and limitations.For designers and product leaders, the challenge lies in bridging this gap. The UX Design Gap in AIDespite the explosion of AI-powered products, many design teams struggle with:Understanding how AI changes user interactions and workflowsDesigning interfaces that are intuitive and transparent about AI functionalityBalancing user control with AI automationCreating trust through thoughtful design choicesPrototyping and testing AI interactions effectivelyBut it doesn’t have to be this way.With the right frameworks and hands-on experience, you can design AI-powered experiences that are clear, effective, and user-friendly. What You Will LearnThis course focuses on learning by doing. Over 4 weeks, you’ll work on a hands-on project, applying each week’s insights to create a portfolio-worthy AI design project.Week 1: Foundations of AI Design + Project KickoffUnderstand what makes AI design unique and the principles of user-centered AI design.Choose and scope your AI design project.Week 2: Designing AI Interactions and User FlowsExplore common AI interaction patterns (e.g., copilots, hybrid systems, conversational AI).Map out intuitive user flows for your AI-powered experience.Week 3: Prototyping and Testing AI ExperiencesBuild interactive prototypes of your AI designs.Test and refine your interactions to ensure usability and clarity.Week 4: Final Presentation + Portfolio PolishTell a compelling story about your AI design project.Create a polished case study ready for your portfolio. Build Confidence Through Hands-On PracticeThis course isn’t about theory—it’s about building, testing, and refining. Each week, you’ll work on your project with guidance, feedback, and peer collaboration. By the end, you’ll have:- A polished AI design project ready for your portfolio- Practical experience designing AI-powered interactions- The confidence to take on AI design challenges in real-world projectsWhether you’re aiming to lead AI design projects, expand your expertise, or land a role in the growing field of AI design, this course will equip you with the skills and insights to succeed.

The UX Design Challenge for AI Applications

Build foundational AI design skills with expert-led modules. Learn user-centered AI design principles, perfect for busy design leaders and professionals.

OnDemand Content

Design AI experiences and receive weekly expert feedback on your portfolio project. Build a real-world AI design solution, ready for your professional portfolio.

Capstone Project

Join live sessions with your instructor for Q&amp;A, portfolio feedback, and insights on AI design decisions. Ideal for design leaders guiding AI-focused teams.

Live Design Sessions & Portfolio Feedback

Get in-depth strategies for AI design, ideal for design leaders wanting to develop the skills to lead teams in the AI design landscape.

Access to Advanced AI Design Strategies

Receive an official certificate upon completion of the course, demonstrating your expertise in designing user-centered AI solutions.

Certificate of Completion

UX &amp; Product Designers. Ready to design impactful AI experiences? Learn to create AI-driven products and build a portfolio that stands out.

Design Leaders &amp; Researchers. Shape the future of AI. Master human-centered design principles and lead teams in creating AI interactions

Aspiring AI Professionals. Looking to enter the AI field? Develop the skills to design, prototype, and test AI solutions.

Gain a deep understanding of key AI design principles through our HCAI Design foundations Guide and lecture series

A Strong Foundation in AI Design

Learn to define northstar AI UX journeys and conversational UX flows using our AI Interaction Frameworks and Guides.

Hands-On Experience Designing AI User Flows

Build interactive prototypes with tools like Figma or VoiceFlow and refine them through structured Usability Testing Guides.

Practical Skills in Prototyping and Testing

Craft a polished AI design project, tell a compelling story using Portfolio Case Study Templates, and present your work with confidence.

A Portfolio-Worthy AI Design Project

Learn to design AI products that are intuitive and valuable. Build your AI project portfolio, get certified as an expert in UX for AI

Ready to move from AI uncertainty to AI leadership? This course isn't another theoretical AI course. It's your practical roadmap to becoming the go-to AI product, design or operations leader in your organisation, combining hands-on skills with ethical principles that will set you apart. Why This Course Is Different:Other courses focus on teach you just to use a specific AI tool or set of tools, but these become out of date quicker than you can blink. We teach foundational enduring skills that are more tool agnostic and help me master AI thinking. We don't just dump information and make you do all the hard work to translate it into new practices for your context —we also help rewire how you think about and accomplish your work goals with AI as your partner, including : - Establishing new mental models that make AI decisions intuitive- Creating new micro-habits that make AI integration automatic- How to redesign workflows that make AI implementation value adding and more seamless- Weekly live sessions with peer to peer collaboration on AI Ethics Instead of overwhelming you with AI theory, we build your confidence through: - Practical application in your actual work, starting day one- Real-world case studies, not theoretical scenarios- Active learning through peer discussions and feedback- A proven system for continuous adaptation as AI evolves. Your 6-Week Transformation: Week 1: Understanding the Paradigm Shift to AI-driven worldTransform from wondering about AI's potential to making strategic AI decisions. Build the foundation for responsible AI leadership in your organisation. Live Ethics Session: Intro to AI Ethics &amp; Global Ethical Frameworks Week 2: From AI-User to AI-CommunicatorMaster the art of AI interaction with large-language models (like chatGPT, Claude, Gemini etc) while maintaining privacy and trust. Learn to get consistently high-quality outputs that align with your goals. Live Ethics Session: Human Autonomy &amp; Oversight in an AI World Week 3: From Uncertainty to Quality AssuranceStop wondering if AI outputs are reliable. Build robust validation practices that ensure trustworthy results with limited bias every time. Live Ethics Session: Fairness and AI Bias Week 4: From Tool User to Strategic IntegratorLevel up from basic AI usage to strategic implementation. Learn to leverage AI's "collective intelligence" while understanding industry-wide impacts. Live Ethics Session: Building Transparency in AI Systems Week 5: From Single Tools to AI WorkflowsAdvance from using individual AI tools to orchestrating multiple AI capabilities in sophisticated, ethical workflows. Live Ethics Session: Data Protection &amp; Privacy Week 6: From Implementer to AI LeaderEmerge as a responsible AI leader who can drive adoption while ensuring ethical implementation across your organisation. Live Ethics Session: Accountability for AI Implementers The AI landscape is moving faster than you can blink. While others are still debating whether to use AI, you'll be showing them how to use it right. Join progressive leaders from innovative organisations who are transforming their AI approach through this proven methodology. Your Weekly Experience Includes:﻿- Focused e-learning modules that build practical skills- Real-world exercises you can apply immediately in your everyday work- Mental models that transform how you think about AI and makes applying learnings 10x more effective- Micro-habits that make AI integration natural- Live ethical sessions with practical case studies &amp; peer discussions that expand your perspective This course has been designed to reduce the friction of learning to adapt to AI driven ways of work, as well as boosters to accelerate your learning journey. BONUS BOOSTERS- Create Your Personal AI Adoption Blueprint: Giving your a starting point for adapting your ways of working- Create Your AI Writing Partner: A CustomGPT that writes exactly like you (but faster)- Learn a Rapid AI Research &amp; Learning Workflow: Never fall behind on AI developments again- Redesign one of your workflows to be AI+Human collaboration Don't just keep up with AI—learn to lead with it. Join us and become the product or design professional who knows how to harness AI's potential while ensuring it's implemented responsibly. Let's build a future working alongside trustworthy AI we can all be proud of.

Build confidence & skills necessary to thrive in an AI-Driven workplace

Weekly Live Session, where we unpack 1 AI ethical principle using real world case studies and peer to peer discussions.

Wednesdays 

Learning contact time 1 hour self paced lessons + 1.5 hours weekly live session + community engagement. You'll be given practical exercises &amp; micro-habits to apply learnings directly to your AI use in your daily work.

Weekly Time Commitment

Designers, Product Managers responsible for designing and deploying AI Products. You want to scale your impact (without burning out)

Non-technical professional who want to learn AI, without being overwhelmed with technical jargon

Founders, executives &amp; managers who are responsible for AI product success and risk management

Without the right mental models, applying skills you learn is exponentially harder.

Learn new mental models essential for effective Generative AI use

Understanding AI's underlying capabilities helps you use it effectively, spot opportunities in various contexts, and solve specific problems. This knowledge empowers you to leverage AI optimally across different situations.

Learn AI capabilities without the tech jargon

Getting the best out of Large language models like ChatGPT &amp; Claude requires a clear set of instructions and all the necessary context to do a good job. Learn memorable techniques that will rapidly improve your prompting and the quality of AI outputs.

Master your communication with Generative AI system like ChatGPT

Learn practical skills in spot bias and fact-check output from large language models to reduce risk of inaccuracies or hallucinations.

Gain practical skills to critically assess AI-generated outputs, focusing on identifying inaccuracies and biases

Ethics workshops spotlight key principles through real-world case studies. Peer discussions unpack ethical dilemmas, using real world case studies of when AI goes wrong. This practical approach prepares you to apply ethics in your daily work

Learn to apply AI Ethical Principles to AI systems at work and how they could relate your personal life as well. 

Moving from experimenting adhoc with Generative AI to totally redesigning workflows to deeply integrate AI &amp; points for human oversight.

Learn methods to redesign new Human+AI ways of working

Data informed decision making will become critical in every role. Learn the basics of how to leverage AI to help me make better informed decisions.

Learn how to make better data-informed decisions

Become confident, creatively empowered and responsible AI-enhanced professional. 

Lightning Lessons

Design Patterns For AI Interfaces