Don't leave assumptions up to AI (aklodhi.com)

Recent discussions in the AI and design community emphasize the critical distinction between executing tasks with AI and the necessity of human judgment in decision-making. While AI has advanced to generate designs, research, and insights, it falls short in discerning the validity of underlying assumptions that drive product development. These foundational assumptions, such as problem relevance, user behavior, and market readiness, are pivotal; flawed assumptions can lead teams to misguided outcomes, regardless of how efficiently AI optimizes execution. As a response to this challenge, designers and researchers are evolving into "assumption guardians," focusing on strategic decision-making rather than mere execution. This shift underlines the importance of framing and validating hypotheses — a responsibility that AI cannot fulfill. AI can enhance the design process by speeding up research and analysis, but ultimately, the responsibility for critical judgment rests with humans. As the landscape of design evolves, the ability to critically question and mitigate assumptions is becoming the key battleground in product development, reshaping roles and emphasizing the value of human insight in an increasingly automated world.