The first step when developing AI is to understand the user need; but just as critical, is knowing the context in which the data is being collected.
The critical component missing from AI technology
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Bob Schumacher
PhD
Managing Partner Emeritus
Bob, now enjoying a well-earned retirement, has over three decades of unparalleled expertise in UX research. As a visionary founder of Bold Insight and co-owner of User Centric, Bob’s innovative spirit led to the creation of the first international network of UX consulting firms, the UXalliance, which has expanded to nearly 30 countries. His prolific contributions to the field include editing the Handbook of Global User Research and co-authoring AI and UX: Why Artificial Intelligence Needs User Experience. Renowned for his insightful lectures on cutting-edge UX research trends, Bob holds a PhD in Cognitive and Experimental Psychology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Connect with Bob on LinkedIn and tune into his UX podcast, Critical User Journey, for more of his invaluable insights.
Bold facts
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Bob
Something unique about you summed up in one sentence:
If it weren’t for cheese, I’m not sure what I would eat.
Your favorite city in the world is...and why?
London – nothing else comes close to its vibrancy – around every corner is a new adventure.
In your spare time you would absolutely do this:
Learn to falcon.
Any other facts to share?
There is so much of this world yet to explore – I’d love to take bike trips all over Europe.
Your favorite city in the world is...and why?
London – nothing else comes close to its vibrancy – around every corner is a new adventure.
Your ultimate celebrity dinner party guest list would include:
Nick Offerman. Sean Connery. Harrison Ford.
Long-term personal or professional goal?
I’d like to walk the Camino de Santiago.
Any other facts to share?
There is so much of this world yet to explore – I’d love to take bike trips all over Europe.
Read Bob's bold insights
- Harnessing UX research to empower children and enhance parental controls online
- Bold Insight to present findings from global study on AI tools at UX Masterclass
- Generative AI in UX research: what are the risks and rewards?
- Bold Insight featured in Global Banking & Finance Review highlighting FCA Consumer Duty
- Bold Insight’s Bob Schumacher to present on AI and UX at HCID Conference
- Bold Insight to present about the power of combining UX and market research at London conference
- Bold Insight to present on inclusivity and older adults
- Four ways the pandemic has permanently changed UX research
- Bold Insight co-sponsors DePaul University grant program that bridges AI and UX
- Bold Insight’s Lew and Schumacher to present at UX Masterclass
- Bold Insight’s Lew and Schumacher share global user research lessons learned during UXinsight Festival
- Ageism and technology UX: Designing for seniors
- Bold Insight presents on AI and remote testing at UX Masterclass
- Bold Insight’s Lew and Schumacher release book on artificial intelligence and user experience
- Will participants show for fieldwork?
- Bold Insight’s Robert Schumacher presents to University of Illinois about careers in UX research
- Is a product still usable if the user has to "get used to it?"
- 6 UX trends for 2019
- Is customer channel-hopping hiding UX problems?
- Confirmation Fatigue: Enough with the reminders already!
- Bold Insight team presents on voice interface design and artificial intelligence at UX Masterclass Milan
- Webisode: Global user research -- where to start
- Webisode: Global user research -- things to think about
- Webisode: Why invest in global user research?
- Designing for Voice: The next phase of UX design
Read our team’s latest bold insights
Three things to improve acceptance of AI
To truly deliver on the promise of AI, developers need to keep the end users in mind. By integrating three components of context, interaction, and trust, AI can be the runaway success that futurists predict it will be.
Recruiting methods and study logistics for human factors and user research
A stronger recruiting strategy that includes relationships with patient support groups and clinical treatment centers can provide better access to difficult-to-reach patient populations. Being intentional about how you plan the logistics of your human factors and user research can mitigate risks to validity introduced by biases.
Singularity and the potential impact on UX design principles
If we are approaching a rapid technology shift as some experts predict, core UX design principles will have to be redefined to adapt to radically different interaction models.