Designing an e-learning approach for UX designers about AI : A workplace e-learning perspective

Abstract: Organizations need to stay on edge by taking advantage of the opportunities offered by emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI). Modern software with AI-features is efficient when the user experience (UX) is not omitted. To generate better user-centered AI-features in software, UX designers need to be more knowledgeable about relevant AI-techniques and take advantage of their affordances. Currently, many UX designers lack such knowledge, and this thesis aims to fill this gap by suggesting a novel e-learning approach focusing on developing UX designers’ knowledge about human-centered AI. The proposed e-learning approach was developed as well as evaluated in close collaboration with the software company Visma. The overall methodological approach that has been used is Design Science Research (DSR; [16]). The proposed approach and relevant e-learning materials have been developed based on the state-of-the-art analysis and semi-structured interviews with six AI-experts at Visma. The designed e-learning approach was evaluated through a Technology Acceptance Model (TAM; [18]), measuring the UX designers’ behavioral intention to use the novel approach. The results show that they intended to use the e-learning approach for learning about AI-techniques in the near future. The e-learning approach was tested at two different times, and the design was refined, withholding more graphical elements after the feedback from the first test. After the final test, the behavioral intention to use the e-learning approach increased from the first evaluation. This study contributes with a novel e-learning approach for organizations’ transition into having a more proficient workforce within AI. Future research should focus on empowering other job-roles in learning about AI.