AI isn’t replacing Product Designers — at least not yet.


At best, AI today acts like a junior product designer — someone who needs constant guidance to stay on track.
In most cases, AI needs a senior designer to define:
- What is the real problem we’re solving?
- What are the expected user and business outcomes?
- How does this piece fit into the broader product or platform strategy?
Without that human oversight, AI can’t operate with quality. It executes tasks but doesn't question assumptions, spot hidden risks, or connect solutions back to the bigger picture.
That said, I’m genuinely impressed with how much AI has helped speed up my work, especially in early discovery phases or when available data is limited. Having access to a massive knowledge base makes AI a powerful assistant when used thoughtfully.
Now, in specific tasks, like heuristic evaluations, AI can perform surprisingly well. Its output can even resemble the work of a more senior product designer at times.
But even then, it falls short when critical reflection is needed: understanding how a single screen, flow, or recommendation fits into the complex system of user needs, business goals, and long-term product evolution.
Bottom line:
AI is a powerful tool for supporting product design work. But it’s not autonomous, and it’s definitely not a replacement for critical thinking, strategic insight, and human creativity.
Where have you seen AI really shine (or struggle) in your product design work?
👉 LET’S CHAT AND WE’LL TELL YOU HOW WE CAN HELP 🚀
🔗 Find out more about our work at houseofproducts.design
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