I spoke with Greg about why so many AI projects fail and what good UX has to do with it. We talked about the real role of research, why empathy beats aesthetics, and how designers can work better with data scientists. Whether you’re building with AI or just trying to make sense of it, this one’s full of hard-earned wisdom.
Over the years, Greg Nudelman has contributed to the world through:
* 24 design patents
* 6 Featured Mobile apps
* 6 design books in 3 languages including UX for AI: A Framework for Designing AI-Driven Products (April 2025)
* Hundreds of millions in design ROI
Greg loves leading UX teams that create the "When can I buy this?" experience for their customers, then nurturing innovative AI/ML-based products to market through creative four-in-a-box collaboration between PM, Data Science, Dev, and UX. As an "Ombudsman of Innovation", Greg's work revolves around twin obsessions: UX for AI and Practical DesignOps to bring customer-empowering ideas to market. Greg is a thought leader on UX for AI, Lean Product Design, Rapid Prototyping, and fast shipping of industry-defining digital products that exceed business goals and blow away customer expectations. Sought-after executive-level keynote speaker, with 100+ keynotes and workshops in 18 countries. Greg's specialty is leading UX teams designing products for Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, IoT, Analytics, Mobile, Biotech, Finance, and creating Design Systems for Enterprise Software.
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If you, or someone you know, would like to be a guest on the podcast send an email to podcast@userexperience.org.
Nick helps design teams stay ahead of the curve with their AI transformation. He has been curating self-assessments for UX & Design Teams at retrain.gauge.io, helping analyze industry trends and any barriers to adoption. Nick founded Gauge in 2001 in the San Francisco Bay Area to help organizations with evidence-based strategy and product decisions. Clients have grown to include Electronic Arts, Genentech, Airbnb, Adobe and many others. Nick is a professor in Data Literacy and Visualization in the Design Strategy MBA program at his alma mater, California College of the Arts.
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I sat down with Nick Cawthon and Casandra Cain to talk about how AI is reshaping UX design, and what that means for mentorship, emotional intelligence, and the future of our field. We explored trust, tooling, education, and why staying adaptable is more important than ever.
Parts
00:00 Introduction to UX and AI
07:32 The Evolution of User Experience
14:53 Trust in AI and User Experience
18:26 Projects and Practical Applications of UX
29:20 The Future of Design and Technology
30:15 AI and UX Patterns: Current Trends and Future Directions
35:47 Mentorship in the Age of AI: Guiding New Designers
41:18 Personal Philosophy: Balancing Anxiety and Optimism
45:34 The Importance of UX: Advocating for User-Centric Design
49:30 Gage.io: Services and Target Audience Insights
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If you, or someone you know, would like to be a guest on the podcast send an email to podcast@userexperience.org.
Dhyey Mavani is a Software Engineer at LinkedIn, where he works on inference optimization for generative AI models within the AI Platforms org. With a rare triple major in Computer Science, Mathematics, and Statistics from Amherst College, Dhyey graduated with two summa cum laude honors theses: one in Mathematics, where he formalized chip-firing games and the Graphical Riemann-Roch theorem using Lean4, and another in Statistics, where he developed a Python package for discrete copula modeling to analyze complex ordinal response data.
At LinkedIn, he built and productionized the company’s first PyTorch-Rust model serving engine, reducing GPU costs by ~$1M and powering key recommendation systems. His work stands at the intersection of applied computational mathematics, scalable infrastructure, and human-centered AI—balancing latency, reliability, and ethics.
Dhyey is also passionate about EdTech innovation, open-source collaboration, and building systems that are as interpretable as they are efficient—always guided by a belief that great user experiences start with rigorous design and deep empathy.
You can find more about Dhyey at linkedin.com/in/dhyey-mavani
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If you, or someone you know, would like to be a guest on the podcast send an email to podcast@userexperience.org.
Ryan Junejo is co-founder and CEO of Crashlabs.ai.
We talked about how his team stress-tests AI agents before they go rogue in the real world, the origin story behind Crash Labs, and why AI safety isn’t just a buzzword, it’s the seatbelt we all need. Ryan shared the surprisingly tricky challenges of testing AI, what it means for user experience, and why his lab might just be the insurance policy the future needs.
Parts
00:00 Introduction to Ryan Junejo and Crash Labs AI
03:09 The Origin Story of Crash Labs AI
05:56 Testing AI Agents: The Crash Test Lab Concept
09:10 Jailbreaking AI: Patterns and Techniques
12:05 AI Safety and Alignment Challenges
15:03 Integrating Crash Labs AI into Your Projects
17:50 Future of AI Testing and User Experience
Keywords
AI testing, Crash Labs AI, Ryan Junejo, AI safety, AI agents, user experience, machine learning, startup, technology, innovation
Leia is shaping a new frontier of AI & spiritual neuroscience—where emotional memory, gentle biosignals, & multimodal models meet the subconscious.
Her stealth-stage company explores how imagination stores truth, how technology can hold the nervous system, and how healing can be quietly designed into engineering itself.
Ranked in the top 0.004% globally, she studies CS & Economics at UC Berkeley—blending technical elegance with poetic intuition to craft systems that don’t just respond, but remember you.
She believes the future belongs to those who protect the part of them that still dreams.
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In this episode, we explored how AI is being used in mental health and therapy, from supporting emotional healing to helping users reconnect with their inner child. We discussed the role of crying, nostalgia, and introspection in healing, as well as the challenges of designing emotionally intelligent AI. Consciousness, free will, and the future of AI-driven therapy also came up, blending philosophy, UX, and innovative mental health solutions.
Parts
00:00 Understanding the Inner Child
06:29 Healing Through Emotion and Crying
08:52 The Role of AI in Mental Health
11:14 Navigating Trauma and User Experience
13:53 The Intersection of Spirituality and Technology
16:27 The Importance of Emotional Expression
18:54 AI as a Tool for Introspection
21:15 Building Trust in AI Therapy
23:40 The Future of Mental Health Solutions
On May 9th, I gave a talk at the UXPA Conference in Boston with Stew Smith about how AI can support accessibility rather than deepen existing gaps.
We explored the current state of assistive tech, the ethical challenges of designing with AI, and why involving users in the process isn’t optional... it’s essential.
Key Takeaways
1. Designing for permanent disabilities benefits everyone.
2. Regulations like the EU AI Act aim to improve accessibility standards.
3. Ethical AI design requires user involvement and transparency.
Parts
00:00 Introduction to Accessibility and AI
01:36 Understanding Digital Accessibility
03:54 The Spectrum of Disability
06:21 AI Overview and Its Historical Context
09:02 Current State of AI and Accessibility
11:41 Regulations and Guidelines for Accessibility
14:18 Ethical Principles in AI Design
16:27 Challenges and Opportunities in AI for Accessibility
18:56 Future of Assistive Technology
21:26 Community Engagement and Outreach
24:11 Conclusion and Q&A
As AI models from Google and OpenAI start winning math competitions, the pressure on creative professionals is real. How do you stay relevant when the ground beneath your industry is shifting?
In this special UXPA Boston talk, I explore how AI is reshaping the design landscape and what you can do about it.
Joined by David Williamson, the session covers:
📈 The evolution of AI: from ELIZA to GPT-4 and beyond
⚠️ What companies like Shopify are demanding from designers now
🧰 The best AI tools to enhance UX research and workflows
🧠 Why soft skills still matter—and how to build future-proof ones
✍️ How to stand out on job boards using AI-enhanced applications
Plus: a live Q&A on accessibility, ethics, tooling, and how to navigate corporate limitations around AI.
Kyle Soucy is the Founding Principal of UsableInterface.com.
In the second part of our conversation, I asked Kyle about the role of AI in UX research, especially when it comes to creating journey maps and personas. She shared key takeaways from her recent talk at the UXPA conference, where she emphasized that AI should be seen as a tool to enhance—not replace—human insight. We also explored projective techniques, which Kyle uses to surface deeper user needs and emotions during research. She explained why these methods are so powerful and gave examples of how they can lead to richer insights. Finally, Kyle opened up about her current journey writing a book on projective techniques, and why she’s focused on making the content practical and actionable for UX professionals.
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For more about UX, check out UserExperience.org!
Kyle Soucy is the Founding Principal of UsableInterface.com, a UX research consultancy specializing in qualitative user research and usability testing for major clients like Comcast, HP, and Pfizer. With over 25 years of experience, she has helped design intuitive interfaces for a wide range of products. Kyle has held leadership roles in UX communities, including founding the NH UXPA and chairing PhillyCHI, and is currently the Career Center Lead for the IA Conference. She is a frequent speaker and guest lecturer, with recordings of her talks available on Woman Talk Design. Kyle also hosts The UX Consultants Lounge podcast, a space for consultants to connect and share insights.
In the first part of our conversation, we talked about Kyle’s journey into UX research, including her early career path and the challenges she faced along the way. She reflected on how she found her footing in the field and what drew her to qualitative research and usability testing. We then explored her transition from working in corporate environments to starting her own consulting practice. Kyle shared valuable insights from founding Usable Interface, including the realities of consulting work and client relationships. We also touched on her deep involvement in the UX community and why she believes networking and mentorship are essential for professional growth.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
02:42 Kyle's Journey into UX Research
06:00 Reflections on Career Path and Early Challenges
12:59 Transitioning from Corporate to Consulting
18:17 Building Usable Interface and Consulting Insights
27:08 Community Involvement and the Importance of Networking
Scott is a senior executive and entrepreneur with 32 years of experience leading marketing for both B2B and consumer companies, contributing to five successful exits, including four acquisitions and one IPO. He also teaches at UMass and Babson College and is the co-author of The Next CMO, which has over 40,000 copies in circulation.
In the 2nd part of our conversation, Scott and I discussed how AI is reshaping human decision-making, disrupting the workforce, and raising questions about purpose in an automated future. We explored the ethical and energy challenges of AI, as well as the evolving role of marketing and the importance of understanding user needs in product design.
Mic drop quote: "A human without purpose is a scary person."
Scott is a senior executive and entrepreneur with 32 years of experience leading marketing for both B2B and consumer companies, contributing to five successful exits, including four acquisitions and one IPO. He also teaches at UMass and Babson College and is the co-author of The Next CMO, which has over 40,000 copies in circulation.
In this episode, Scott Todaro shared insights on marketing, entrepreneurship, and AI, reflecting on career lessons, the evolving industry, and the importance of vision and people. He also discussed AI’s impact on jobs and offered advice for those starting their careers.
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For a free daily email with curated podcast picks, check out podcast.today!
Special thanks to Avi Joy for connecting Scott and I :)
Smit Desai is a conversational AI researcher, designer, and an engineer—existentialist and a storyteller. Together with Clark Ohlenbusch (the infamous AI whiz kid), we discussed the nuances of conversational interfaces, particularly focusing on voice technology. Smit shared insights from his research on how users interact with voice interfaces, emphasizing the differences between graphical and voice interfaces, the phenomenon of anthropomorphism, and the implications of creating an illusion of agency in AI. The conversation also touched on the emotional bonds users form with technology and the potential risks associated with trusting these systems too much. The episode concludes with reflections on the future of human-machine interaction and the importance of being mindful of the information shared with technology.
You can find out more about Smit and his work here: smitdesai.net
Main takeaways:
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Conversational Interfaces
02:44 Understanding User Experience in Voice Interfaces
10:04 Anthropomorphism in Human-Machine Interaction
17:36 Ethical Considerations in AI and User Trust
This is the 2nd part of my conversation with Cas, a UX professional with over a decade of experience in FinTech. We talked about mentoring, team dynamics, and project methodologies, and Cas shared insights on defending UX’s value, AI’s role in design, and its future impact on the job market.
Key takeaways:
You can connect with Cas Cain via email cas@cascain.com and her website cascain.io :)
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If you liked this episode, please leave a review and share it with your friends, family, and network.
I'd love to hear what you thought, send an email to podcast@userexperience.org.
For more, check out userexperience.org!
In this episode, Cas, a seasoned UX designer, shares her journey from a tech-savvy childhood to a successful career in user experience design. She discusses her early influences, the evolution of the UX field, and the importance of mentoring. Cas provides valuable insights into resume writing, particularly in the context of AI and ATS systems, and emphasizes the significance of quantifying experience and soft skills in the UX industry.
Key takeaways:
You can connect with Cas Cain via email cas@cascain.com and her website https://cascain.io :)
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If you liked this episode, please leave a review and share it with your friends, family, and network.
I'd love to hear what you thought, send an email to podcast@userexperience.org.
For more, check out userexperience.org!
Sean Wood shares insights from his journey in UX and AI, touching on digital transformation, responsible AI adoption, and the evolving role of design in tech. We explore how companies can use AI to do more—not just cut costs—and why collaboration, ethics, and user trust are key to building meaningful AI solutions.
In this conversation, I chatted with Colton about his experiences in the UX field and his journey in building Kickass UX. We talked about the challenges of breaking into the UX industry, the importance of hands-on experience, and the need for mentorship and support. Colton emphasized the value of giving back to the community and building an audience before launching a product. Hope you enjoy it!
00:00 Introduction and Goals
03:00 Colton's Background and Kickass UX
12:40 The Evolution of Kickass UX
19:41 The Value of Giving Back and Building an Audience
25:19 Product-Led Growth and Understanding Business Metrics
For more, check out KickassUX.com and UserExperience.org.
Keywords: UX, user experience, KickassUX.com, career switch, mentorship, hands-on experience, product-led growth.
I chatted with Alex Traill about her transition from recruitment to software development, and her journey to becoming a product owner. We talked about the challenges and surprises of building a product from scratch, and the importance of user feedback in shaping the product.
Alex is currently the product owner at UberTalent.io, a platform to hire, manage, and pay talent around the world.
Learn more about UX at UserExperience.org
"And I thought, OK shit they’re gonna fire me now."
Monkomon is a designer based in Rotterdam, and has gone through ups and downs in her career, including thinking she was about to get fired. We chatted about her journey from working at the marketing association at her university, to working at a large company, to starting over as a freelancer.
Find more resources and stories at UserExperience.org.
In this episode of the userexperience.org podcast, I chat with Andreea Moga, a serial entrepreneur and an expert in AI. Andreea discusses her journey from Romania to the Netherlands, where she applied her expertise in signal processing and data science to real-world projects, including developing a tool for predicting preterm labor. We explore how UX and product design intersect with her work, particularly in the context of designing interfaces for complex data-driven systems. Andreea also shares insights from her role as Chairwoman of Tech Labs Rotterdam, emphasizing the importance of learning communities in shaping the future of tech and design. Plus, she offers practical advice for aspiring UX professionals on how to break into the industry and approach job opportunities. This episode is a great listen for anyone interested in the fusion of technology, design, and user experience.
In this second part of my chat with Andreea, we chat about human centered AI, advice she has for people wanting to get a job in tech, and a bunch of other cool stuff.
