AI interfaces and the role of good writing

"If you've used an AI product recently, you probably know that the technology is incredible. The UX? Not so much. Maybe you've gotten comfortable writing prompts or using simple one-click tools. But as AI interfaces start to take different forms, many of them are still kinda hard to figure out. Navigating them can be overwhelming. It doesn't feel like you're using these products so much as deciphering them. The engineering is powerful, but the flows don't make sense."

"If you're lost in an AI user flow, blame the writing. Lots of these tools use unclear labeling, make phony promises, or simply cram interfaces with vague, hyphenated phrases like "AI-enabled." The usability issues make sense, because AI is relatively new. We've seen this happen before. Think about the first time you tapped on a smartphone. Or the first time you sent an email. Every big shift takes a little getting used to. As new technology arrives, new interaction patterns emerge."

AI technology is powerful, but many AI products pair strong engineering with confusing user experiences that feel like decoding rather than using. Usability problems often stem from unclear labeling, exaggerated promises, and vague terms such as "AI-enabled." New technologies create new interaction patterns, so words in the interface must be treated as design decisions. Effective UX writing should be smart, strategic, and honest to keep users clear and simplify products. Practical steps include defining the audience before writing to shape features and roadmap, and deciding where AI fits in the product architecture before adding AI language or icons.

Read at Medium