Nurturing critical UX thinking in the age of AI

Recently at a networking event, I spoke with a designer who was eager to move into UX. She lit up as she described what drew her to the field – the focus on the user, connection to graphic design, and problem-solving. At the same time, she admitted she was worried about the future, afraid that AI might take away the job she was trying to build.

She really got me thinking: what does a career path into UX look like for someone starting today?

Throughout my career, my learning has always come from the act of doing. I started in graphic design and loved working on the fine details of a logo. Then I moved into web work – and stumbled through an understanding of HTML and CSS so I could customize wordpress templates. When I started testing my interface designs, working with real users, and developing requirements – every piece of my past experience fed into my ability to do that.

That original grunt work was more than production design; it was an apprenticeship in critical thinking

I learned to evaluate options, weigh trade-offs, and make deliberate decisions. Each role shaped me, and now leaves me with this question for the upcoming generation of designers; Is ‘learning through doing’ necessary in critical thinking development?

Think of all the AI slop we’ve seen recently – distinguishing between good and bad design has never been more important.

The rapid prototyping trade-off

Today, many entry-level tasks are being automated or templated. AI can generate layouts, wireframes, and full prototypes in seconds. While this speeds up workflows, it also risks removing the “safe” practice ground where junior designers once learned the craft.

Without opportunities to do the work, receive feedback, and iterate, new designers may find it harder to develop the depth of understanding needed to evaluate and produce good, user-centred work. Critical thinking, the quiet skill at the heart of UX, emerges from experience, reflection, and collaboration.

This isn’t an argument against AI tools. It’s an observation that as our processes evolve, we need to evolve our ways of working and learning.

4 tips to practice critical thinking in UX in the age of AI

1. Ask questions and think strategically

Constantly, about everything. The easier it becomes to create products, the harder it becomes to understand when we should or shouldn’t create them. Ask questions about everything – not just the design choices made – but the systems behind them, the value, and the elements that contribute to success.

2. Learn the difference between subjective and objective decisions

This is a big one for also building confidence in your own work. Subjective decisions can be flexible. Does it really matter if it’s purple or blue? If purple is accessible and blue is not – it’s now an objective requirement.

3. Be intentional – understand that you are always choosing

While you might be using tools to create designs more rapidly, you are still making the same amount of choices as if you were creating manual designs. While you may not have physically rounded those button corners, you will have to look at them, and critically determine if that was the right choice.

4. Talk to developers

Talking to the user is important, but talking to developers is something that isn’t emphasized enough. They’re the ones that can point out systems constraints, poke holes from a different perspective, and provide valuable perspectives on options.

In the age of AI, be mindful of your strengths and concious of what drives you. Reaching out to industry professionals and experienced designers is a great way to build your understanding of career paths and options. There are so many variations of types of UX professionals and the work they do – understanding where your passions are and where you can grow will help you shape your career with intention.