26. The Evolution of UX (feat. Dr. Jakob Nielsen, Co-Founder & Principal, NN/g)

The UX industry has recently seen what some call "unprecedented" shifts with layoffs and generative artificial intelligence rapidly changing how UX work is done. However, there have been similarly turbulent periods in tech, decades before. Dr. Jakob Nielsen reflects on the changes that have taken place over the near 25 years Nielsen Norman Group has been around, and discusses whether or not generative AI is just a phase or truly the next chapter of UX work.

Learn more about Dr. Jakob Nielsen

Past keynote speeches by Dr. Jakob Nielsen

Topics Covered:

• 1:45 - Dr. Jakob Nielsen's "origin story"
• 3:46 - What UX was like during the "dot-com boom"
• 6:30 - How the UX profession has changed since the "dot-com boom"
• 8:21 - Generative AI - a phase or the next chapter of UX work?
• 13:26 - How AI will shift the labor of UX away from pixel-pushing and toward orchestration/editorializing
• 16:58 - The future of UX: what keeps Dr. Jakob Nielsen inspired
• 19:34 - Balancing the pressure to build new features vs. fixing existing infrastructures (UX debt)
• 23:00 - Foundational UX ideologies: who is responsible for a good experience; matching how people actually behave
• 25:17 - Advice for people new to UX 
• 27:40 - Advice for experienced UX professionals in preparing for a future with AI