Ideas: Designing AI for people with Abigail Sellen

The Jeeves and Wooster series, written by P.G. Wodehouse, follows the exploits of Reginald Jeeves, a highly competent and intelligent valet, and his master, Bertie Wooster, a wealthy and somewhat dim-witted young man. The series is known for its witty dialogue, clever plot twists, and the ingenious solutions Jeeves devises to extricate Bertie and his friends from various social and personal predicaments. The stories often involve Bertie's aunts, his friends like Gussie Fink-Nottle, and a cast of eccentric characters, all set against the backdrop of British upper-class society in the early 20th century.

The novel follows Bridget Jones, a thirtysomething single woman working in publishing, as she records her New Year's resolutions to stop smoking, reduce drinking, and improve her health. Throughout the year, Bridget navigates her relationships with her boss Daniel Cleaver and the aloof Mark Darcy, while dealing with family issues, career challenges, and her own self-improvement efforts. The book is known for its witty and relatable portrayal of single life in London.

Here Comes Everybody explores how the internet and new communication technologies have significantly reduced the costs and difficulties of forming groups, enabling online communities to perform tasks that traditional organizations might find unprofitable. The book discusses various examples, such as the organization of flash mobs, mass protests, and channels of communication for political activists. Shirky argues that these changes are part of a broader revolution in social organization, challenging existing institutions and transforming how people interact and collaborate.

Abigail Sellen's "The Myth of the Paperless Office" challenges the widespread belief that digital technologies would eliminate paper from workplaces. The book examines the persistent use of paper in various professional settings, highlighting its unique affordances and the social functions it serves. Sellen and her co-author explore how paper facilitates communication, collaboration, and memory in ways that digital systems often fail to replicate. They argue for a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between technology and work practices, emphasizing the importance of user-centered design and the careful integration of digital tools into existing workflows. The book's insights remain relevant in the age of AI, underscoring the need to understand the social and cognitive aspects of work before implementing new technologies.

In this book, Don Norman discusses how design should be centered around the user's needs, emphasizing the importance of visibility, natural relationships between controls and functions, and the intelligent use of constraints. He argues that poor design, rather than user ineptness, is often the cause of frustration with everyday objects. The book covers various aspects of design, including affordances, signifiers, and the seven stages of action, providing a comprehensive guide to creating user-friendly products.