While the idea of AI replacing real people in user research and product testing may seem like a futuristic one, it’s not entirely far-fetched. With every passing week it seems like AI is becoming more adept at everything. A scenario where machine intelligence becomes so advanced that it can accurately mimic human behaviour and preferences is not only possible but very likely. If this were to happen, the need for involving real people in UX research might diminish or disappear entirely.
One of the key advantages of using AI for research might be consistency. Unlike humans who can have varying moods and biases, AI remains impartial and consistent in its approach. It could tirelessly conduct tests and collect data without fatigue, ensuring a more reliable and objective assessment of products.
AI can also process vast amounts of data at incredible speeds. It could quickly analyse user feedback and generate insights that would take humans much longer to compile. This efficiency could significantly shorten the product development cycle, getting innovative and user-friendly products to market much faster and more efficiently.
Take it even a step further and imagine a user interface that’s alive, constantly learning from its users and autonomously updating itself with minimal or no interactions from its human overseers. This living UI could change button sizes, layouts, color schemes, user flows and so much more.