Abstract

This article explores the integration of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools in user experience (UX) and interaction design (IxD) education, focusing on a collaborative project between a faculty member and students. A semester-long IxD project was conducted with three students and their instructor, who utilized AI tools without limitations. This case study examines both the opportunities and the challenges of using generative AI as experienced by this team in an educational setting. While they uncovered interesting applications of AI tools, they also faced several challenges. Incorporating AI into the design process proved more difficult than expected, and many tasks did not yield significant time savings. Additionally, concerns regarding the trustworthiness of AI outputs emerged. For the instructor, assessing the project was challenging, highlighting the need for greater transparency in the use of AI tools. The exploration underscored the importance of explicitly teaching AI literacy skills and highlighted the need for intentional integration of AI within UX and IxD curricula. Finally, it resulted in suggesting an approach for incorporating AI into the design process. The insights gained aim to guide educators in preparing students for responsible and critical use of AI in their future practice.