The world of design is undergoing a profound transformation as AI continues to permeate every aspect of our lives. The latest frontier in AI development is 'embodied intelligence,' where AI is seamlessly integrated into physical products, from smart home devices to household appliances. This shift presents a unique challenge for designers: how to preserve the essence of their creations when everything has the potential to have an AI assistant embedded within? The pressure to design solely for convenience is at an all-time high, but the role of design in shaping behavior, interaction, and system logic must not be lost.
The 'seamlessness' trap has dominated digital experiences for a decade, prioritizing fewer steps and moments of effort. However, in the physical realm, this approach can leave users feeling surplus to requirements. AI-enabled products must go beyond convenience and solve for participation. Great products feel unique because they have friction, intentional texture, and a satisfying weight, reminding users of their control. AI-driven products, however, risk eliminating this friction, as seen with smart fridges that reorder groceries without prompting or Amazon's Alexa making suggestions unprompted.
The solution lies in integration, not resistance. Technology should enhance user involvement, not eliminate it. Designers should build checkpoints into physical products, allowing users to make decisions. The physical, digital, and AI should be designed together, not in separation. AI should be a part of the wider orchestra, not the conductor. LEGO's Smart Bricks, for example, deepen the experience and reward user effort, demonstrating the kind of AI integration physical product designers should aim for.
The key is to preserve human agency and make intelligence feel collaborative. Products should be positioned as part of connected systems or ecosystems, not just individual objects. Designers should ask harder questions of technology, considering what a product is for and where the boundary lies between helpful and hollow. AI should be an integral part of the experience, but not the entire experience itself. By finding the right balance, designers can create products that earn a lasting place in people's lives, blending intelligence with human creativity and control.
