Savannah Kunovsky says AI belongs in products only where it helps users
Overview
Ideo industrial product designer Savannah Kunovsky tells IEEE Spectrum that teams often add AI to products under investor pressure, not because users need it.
She cites Humane's AI Pin as an example of AI replacing working physical controls.
Kunovsky says designers should first ask who the product is for and what those users need, then pick the capability that meets that need, which may not be a large language model. She says physical controls should remain where users need instant, reliable action.
Written by AI from the articles below · updated Nov 11, 9:19 AM ET
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- IEEE Spectrum · AINewsSavannah Kunovsky says AI should be added to products only where it helps users
AIIdeo industrial product designer Savannah Kunovsky tells IEEE Spectrum that teams often add AI under investor pressure, and that AI replaced working controls in products such as Humane's AI Pin. She says designers should first ask who the product is for and what they need, then choose the right capability, which may not be a large language model. Physical controls should stay where users need instant, reliable action, she says.
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