Unpacking AI’s Role in User Research and Information Architecture | Jorge Arango (Boot Studio)

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Jorge Arango is an information architect, author, and educator. For the past three decades, he has used architectural thinking to bring clarity and direction to digital projects for clients ranging from non-profits to Fortune 500 companies. He’s the author of Duly Noted: Extend Your Mind Through Connected Notes, Living in Information: Responsible Design for Digital Places, co-author of Information Architecture: for the Web and Beyond, and host of The Informed Life podcast. Besides consulting, writing, and podcasting, Jorge also teaches in the graduate interaction design program at the California College of the Arts.

In our conversation, we discuss:

* How AI is becoming a transformational technology for UX design, akin to the emergence of the web decades ago.

* The limitations of AI, emphasizing its role in augmenting human work rather than replacing it.

* Jorge’s experiences with AI in both the research phase and content taxonomy applications for information architecture.

* Tips for understanding and integrating AI tools into UX workflows, moving beyond chat-based interfaces like ChatGPT.

* The importance of approaching AI with curiosity and seeing it as a way to enhance, rather than disrupt, traditional workflows.

Jorge recently released a self-driven course for folks wanting to learn about information architecture.

Some takeaways:

* AI tools are best used to enhance human efficiency, allowing professionals to perform tasks at greater scale and speed. For instance, large website analysis becomes more feasible with retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) techniques, enabling quicker insights without compromising accuracy.

* Not all AI tools are suitable for every UX process. Effective use requires tailoring tools to specific phases, such as research or content taxonomy, and understanding their strengths and limitations, like context window sizes or text-based limitations.

* AI’s potential is often misunderstood due to hype or fear. Developing a hands-on relationship with AI tools dispels misconceptions, revealing their actual capabilities and boundaries, such as their reliance on user input for quality output.

* Rather than delegating entire tasks to AI, think of it as a collaborative editor. Prompts like “What am I missing?” can provide fresh perspectives on drafts or reports, enhancing the final product without diluting human expertise.

* Viewing AI through a lens of opportunity rather than threat helps professionals integrate it constructively into workflows. This involves learning about non-chat-based AI tools and exploring new use cases, fostering innovation and efficiency in UX practices.

Where to find Jorge:

* Website: https://jarango.com

* LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/jarango

* Twitter/X: https://x.com/jarango

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The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host, the podcast, or any affiliated organizations or sponsors.

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