Reflective Practices in Designing With Conversational Artificial Intelligence

• In Event: AI for Educators

Abstract

Reflective practices—naming task aspects, framing design around subproblems, moving to develop ideas, and reflecting on previous actions to reframe ideas—are central to the design process. We explore how brainstorming with a generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool may facilitate reflective practices among designers with varied levels of experience. In think-aloud interviews, 17 participants performed a design task independently, and then refined their ideas with ChatGPT, a conversational, generative AI tool. We found that participants used the tool in diverse ways, as information provider, ideator, and critique. They iterated between reflective practices more frequently and reflected more when brainstorming with ChatGPT than in individual brainstorming. Findings provide insights for designing AI-integrated learning, to support reflective practices toward developing design expertise.

Authors

• Ha Nguyen, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

• Jake Hayward, Utah State University