GenAI is reshaping design and research. Are you ready?
In this conversation, hear from leaders from Dscout, AT&T, and AWS who came together to explore how generative AI is changing the way teams discover, imagine, and design. Hosted in partnership with Dscout, the session featured Gordon Ching (Design Executive Council), Julie Norvaisas (Dscout), JM Downey (AT&T), and Dave Brown (AWS), along with additional perspectives from three Design Executive Council Members: Christina Vallery (The Cigna Group), Janaki Kumar (JP Morgan Chase), and Andrew Birgiolas (Sephora).
Together, they cut through the hype to surface what really matters: the practical shifts, leadership reorientation, and new mental models required to navigate the AI era with confidence.
What We Covered in the Webinar
- Designing in an AI-integrated world: AI is reshaping workflows, boosting creativity, accelerating decision-making, and redefining where human judgment is essential.
- Leadership reorientation: Design leaders are actively reorienting their practices, including competencies, mental models, and strategic lenses, to meet the AI shift
- A Framework for Action: We introduced a practical, momentum-building approach for teams to begin integrating AI without overwhelming them.
Key Takeaways
Here's each bullet point shortened:
- Design for Elasticity: Build adaptive, resilient systems that embrace AI's probabilistic nature and redefine traditional product development.
- From Insight to Influence: Shift from transactional insights to driving strategic business outcomes, becoming accountable for tangible results.
- Test But Verify: Prioritize controlled experimentation over perfect solutions, fostering confidence and continuous learning with AI.
- Develop AI Literacy: Master the new AI software stack to make informed decisions, blending AI's power with human intuition and judgment.
- Embrace the Generalist Renaissance: Leverage AI's blurring of roles to become a broad strategic partner, applying human-centered skills widely.
Path Forward
This shift doesn’t require a massive overhaul overnight. Start with high-impact, low-lift applications of AI to build trust and show value. The leaders who will shape the future aren’t those who resist AI; they’re the ones who see it as an amplifier for human insight, creativity, and leadership.
AI isn't here to eliminate jobs; it's here to expand possibilities. The future belongs to design leaders who can adeptly navigate uncertainty, champion essential human qualities, and bring clarity to increasingly complex intelligent systems. This profound shift is already in motion. The critical question isn't if adaptation will happen, but how effectively leaders will guide this pivotal transformation.
