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


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

The Nielsen Norman Group (NNg) UX Podcast is a podcast on user experience research, design, strategy, and professions, hosted by Senior User Experience Specialist Therese Fessenden. Join us every month as she interviews industry experts, covering common questions, hot takes on pressing UX topics, and tips for building truly great user experiences. For free UX resources, references, and information on UX Certification opportunities, go to: www.nngroup.com

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Tech News

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Gadgets

Software How-To

Expanding into global markets is a key priority for companies in today's interconnected world. While many companies rely on translations for their digital platforms, this is just one aspect of effective global expansion. In this episode, we're joined by Feifei Liu, International UX Researcher at NN/g. She discusses the importance of cross-cultural research and its role in helping organizations effectively expand into international markets while honoring cultural values and practices.
⁠Learn more about Feifei Liu⁠


NN/g Articles & Training Courses
Modify Your Design For Global Audiences: Cross Cultural UX Design 
International Usability Testing: Why You Need It?
Cultural Differences in User Research Facilitation 
Translate User-Generated Content For Global Audiences 
4 Ways to Support International Purchasers 
6 Tips for Improving Language Switchers on Ecommerce Sites


Other Resources
Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory


Chapters
(0:00) Intro
(01:15) Cross-cultural UX research: What is it?
(06:57) Importance of cross-cultural UX research
(09:46) Factors designers and researchers need to consider when creating cross-cultural designs
(13:07) Example of a localized design (Australian pharmacy website)
(15:34) Developing a cultural lens
(18:42) Facilitating cross-cultural UX research
(25:19) Keeping up with cultural trends

39. Cross-Cultural UX Research (feat. Feifei Liu, International UX Researcher)

In this episode, we dive into User Interviews with Steve Portigal, discussing their critical role in product development and design research. User interviews, a qualitative method, involve conversations with users to gather insights about their experiences, behaviors, and needs. We discuss the benefits of this approach, such as deep user empathy and informed decision making, alongside common challenges like bias and recruitment. Join us in understanding when to use user interviews and how to get the most out of them.
NN/g Articles & Training Courses
User Interviews (full-day/2 half-day UXC course)
User Interviews 101 (free article)
The 3 Types of User Interviews: Structured, Semi-Structured, and Unstructured (free video)
When to Use Which User-Experience Research Methods (free article)
5 Facilitation Mistakes to Avoid During User Interviews (free article)


⁠Learn more about Steve Portigal
Interviewing Users (2nd Edition)  20% discount code: interviewing

38. User Interviews (feat. Steve Portigal, Research Consultant and Author)

AI is changing faster than we can sometimes process and will likely do so for a while. The recent tech layoffs have also not spared UX professionals, adding to the uncertainty about our future roles in this rapidly changing environment. While there is still much we don't know about AI, Don Norman, co-founder of NN/g, and Sarah Gibbons, VP at NN/g, share their insights on the future roles of designers, encouraging professionals to think big in the wake of AI's advancements.
Related NN/g Articles & Training Courses
Generative UI and Outcome-Oriented Design
AI as a UX Assistant
The 4 Degrees of Anthropomorphism of Generative AI
AI Chat Is Not (Always) the Answer
AI-Powered Tools for UX Research: Issues and Limitations
Prompt Structure in Conversations with Generative AI
Sycophancy in Generative-AI Chatbots
New Course: Practical AI for UX Professionals


Other Related Content
⁠Don Norman’s Website⁠

Chapters
0:00-1:12 - Intro
1:13-18:18 - What will design’s role be as AI expands?
18:18-23:15 - What is going to stay the same as AI expands?
23:16-end - Rapid Fire Questions 

Bonus Episode: Design’s Role as AI Expands (Feat. Don Norman and Sarah Gibbons, VP at NN/g)

Extended reality (XR) experiences hold the potential to transform the way we learn, work, and collaborate. Specifically, it can make educational experiences more interactive, engaging and ultimately drive higher learning outcomes. In this episode, we feature Jan Plass, who discusses the affordances of XR technology, provides examples of XR learning experiences and shares his expectations for its impact on the education landscape. Jan Plass is a Professor at New York University, Paulette Goddard Chair, and Director of CREATE. 

Learn more about Jan Plass:

CREATE Lab
Looking Inside Cells
On the Morning You Wake
Verizon AR/VR Learning Apps (i.e. Visceral Science, Mapper's Delight, UNSUNG, Looking Inside Cells etc.)


NN/g ARTICLES & TRAINING COURSES
Augmented/Virtual Reality vs. Computer Screens
10 Usability Heuristics Applied to Virtual Reality
Virtual Reality and User Experience
Emerging Patterns in Interface Design ⁠ (full-day/2 half-day UXC course)
The Design of Everyday Things


CHAPTERS:
0:00-3:13 - Intro
3:13-5:35 - What is XR?
5:35-8:54 - XR as a Learning Opportunity
8:54-12:19 - Examples of XR for learning 
12:19-15:30 - Evidence of Learning with VR Technology
15:30-18.51 - Can VR features Induce Emotions and Result in Better Learning Outcomes?
18:51-23.45 - Comparing UX in 2D and 3D spaces?
23:45-27:41 - Accessibility and Inclusivity in XR
27:41 - XR Development: The Role of Affordances

37. XR: Improving Learning Outcomes

The surge of AI is currently changing the way we work and live. To avoid feeling left behind, it is important to engage with and understand these tools. This is true for UX designers just as much as almost everybody else. In this episode, we feature Henry Modisett from Perplexity AI and Kate Moran to get two insightful perspectives on the current state of AI and its connection to UX.

Learn more about Henry Modisett
Learn more about Kate Moran

Perplexity.AI

NN/g ARTICLES & TRAINING COURSES

AI for UX: Getting Started (free article)
AI & Machine Learning Will Change UX Research & Design (free video)
AI Improves Employee Productivity by 66% (free article)
AI-Powered Tools for UX Research: Issues and Limitations (free article)
AI: First New UI Paradigm in 60 Years (free article)
Sycophancy in Generative-AI Chatbots (free article)
Information Foraging with Generative AI: A Study of 3 Chatbots (free article)
The ELIZA Effect: Why We Love AI (free article)
Practical AI for UX Professionals (full-day/2 half-day UXC course)


CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
1:43 Perplexity AI: History & Value Proposition
10:30 Perplexity AI: Next Steps & Future Developments
15:04 Making AI User Friendly: Generative Interfaces
24:33 Understanding AI as a Consumer Product
28:28 Mental Models for AI
30:41 An Outlook for AI
35:51 NN/g’s Role in the AI Movement
37:34 Anthropomorphism of AI
40:07 Dealing with the Fear of AI

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

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