Long gone are the days when Artificial Intelligence [AI] was perceived as “somewhat evil” that was hell-bent on destroying humanity. Remember the Hollywood film “2001: A Space Odyssey”? Of course, you do. In this article, we’ll see what to consider in the AI-enabled mobile app UI and UX design.
However, today, we use this technology to make our lives more convenient. Apple’s Siri, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa have provided us with real-life and helpful AI experiences — that show how the technology can work for us and with us.
AI capabilities in apps of various niches
In the past decade, AI has spread its tentacles in different industries and transformed them to the core. Here is what the technology can do:
1. Creates a seamless user experience in IoT
Since IoT relates to connecting devices, the need for real-time data processing is paramount. As a smart technology, AI complements IoT app development by processing large chunks of data from any number of devices in real-time, thus streamlining the data transmission process and reducing lags considerably.
2. Enhances marketing and search capabilities on social media
Today, all fundamental social media features rely on AI, such as filtering the feed content, audience targeting for ads, or searching for a specific friend using image recognition.
3. Empowers real-time logistical management: AI-enabled mobile app design
When blended with robotics, AI helps businesses track, locate, and conveniently move their inventory safely and securely. It streamlines the warehouse operations, ensures the supply meets consumer demand on time and boosts workers’ productivity.
Importance of UI/UX in designing AI-enabled apps
In the business of designing for mobile apps, AI has since moved from being a backend tool for enterprises to taking the frontline role within tech interfaces.
AI-enabled apps enhance the user experience by suggesting options based on past user activities. For instance, Spotify and Instagram brands suggest relevant music and photos, respectively, by understanding the user preferences on the app.
However, AI cannot work wonders unless the app has been designed well. That is where UI/UX enters the picture.
While UI refers to an app’s appearance when a user interacts with it, UX represents human perception, emotions, and app engagement preferences.
Given the number of benefits and AI-enabled app has to offer to businesses and customers alike, coming up with an efficient UI/UX design is the need of the hour. Here is how it helps in designing AI-enabled apps:
- Firstly, helps you understand your targeted audience by segmenting them based on what they want from your app.
- Secondly, enhances customer satisfaction and boosts business ROI by providing engaging content and easy navigation on the app.
- Finally, helps you build an app that does not require to be frequently upgraded, saves your resources, and improves your business credibility.
But, what are AI-enabled user interfaces?
An AI-enabled UI is the medium with simulated cognitive functions that allow machines and humans to interact. IBM Watson, iRobot Roomba, Netflix, and Amazon Alexa are some of the power examples we see and use in our daily lives.
In a nutshell, it can help understand the user’s commands and represent them with the best possible predictions based on the available data. The interaction with AI should be easy-to-use and efficient so that users can accomplish their goals.
What to consider while designing an AI-enabled mobile app
1. Set clear design goals and user expectations
Even after downloading the app, users do not immediately know how to use it. The design thus needs to be more guiding and show what the app can and cannot do.
For instance, if you have a goal of walking specific steps in a day to lose weight, a fitness app will use your weight, age, and activity level to tell you how many steps you need to walk and how many calories you have to burn to lose the desired weight.
The bottom line is to let the users know the possibilities of the product, how the AI learns, and what they need to do to accomplish their goals. One of the ways to make this happen is via the app onboarding process.
2. Make the UI intuitive and interactive.
It is essential to design a UI that does not entirely rely on internet connectivity. It would be best if you gained value from it even when the app is offline. For instance, design your fitness app for counting the steps even when the user is hiking in the woods with any internet. Google Assistant and Spotify can function offline. But Siri and Alexa cannot.
Simultaneously, the AI should ask for permission or reviews to execute tasks with significant consequences. Yes, AI should be proactive, but the user is the final decision maker and should consent to the app above all.
3. Design for forgiveness for better retention: AI-enabled mobile app design
Design the app in a way that users forgive it in case it makes mistakes. Siri, although designed as an adult assistant, sounds and talks like one. When she does not understand specific simple commands, she replies with humor or apologizes.
How many people do you think smashed their phones on the wall just because Siri made a mistake? None. Therefore, design delightful features to increase the likelihood of forgiveness and maintain app retention.
Make the AI UX design easy for the user to interact with by inserting simulating objects or characters such as animals that humans are naturally inclined to forgive. The app interface should also be clear on what it needs from the user to move past the obstacle.
A fantastic example is a contact form. Often filling some fields are mandatory in a form. When a user tries to submit it without filling in all the required details, they are alerted about the same. An AI-enabled app UI/UX should notify users in case of any error or hurdles.
4. Keep the user’s privacy and security in mind.
Since AI processes user data, it is essential to be transparent about collecting data and using it via the app. You do not need to show the algorithms to them but mentioning which data will be used is essential—design ways for the user to know that.
Moreover, it would help if you offered users various modes to secure and lock their data through fingerprints, two-factor authentication, face detection, PIN, and voice recognition. Design UI to let users feel that AI is secure and protects their data and privacy.
5. Maintain a balance between user interest and AI capabilities
Algorithms do not feel; human beings do. That is why you must ensure you have your users’ best interests and do not oversell your AI capabilities. Moreover, too much AI can also overwhelm the user.
For instance, AI is not yet ready to take over the entire supply chain, particularly all employee engagement levels. Therefore, your app’s UI/UX design should always make the users feel like they control the activities.
AI enabled mobile app design Summing it up
While designing AI apps, please understand that users are everything. Without them, your app is useless — no matter how advanced it is or well it has been designed. Its interface should be easy-to-use, trustworthy, and helpful for the users.
Keep the design principles, as mentioned above, in mind to build the next-gen AI-enabled user interface for your mobile app today!
