AI Matchmaking
Conceptualizing an AI-enabled Experience using "matchmaking" techniques.
The field of artificial intelligence (AI) has been rapidly evolving in recent years, with breakthroughs in machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision, among others. As designers and developers explore the possibilities of AI-enabled experiences, it's crucial to ensure that these new technologies are aligned with the needs and desires of users. This is where "matchmaking" techniques come in.
The goal of this project is to conceptualize an AI-enabled experience using matchmaking techniques. This involves a four-step process that begins by describing the capabilities of the technology, mapping those capabilities to associated work activities, identifying work domains and specific example sites, and finally, characterizing the work of the example sites to verify whether they match the technology's capabilities.
Course Project: Research | Concept Development
Instructor: Prof. Tad Hirsh
Team
Jane Effanga (solo)
Duration
January 2023
Tools
Figma, Miro, Procreate
Design Methodologies
User Research, User-Centered Design
PROJECT NARRATIVE
This project is a journey of exploration into the possibilities and limitations of AI technology. After researching various AI technologies and brainstorming over 20 potential applications, I narrowed my focus to personalized storytelling for children. Through secondary and qualitative research, I gathered crucial insights from parents, which guided the project's overall design and development. This project allowed me to develop a comprehensive storytelling concept while gaining a deeper understanding of the potential uses of AI technology. I am proud of the effort put into creating this AI-enabled experience and look forward to exploring its potential further in the future.
THE PROCESS
Technology Analysis
Brainstorming
Initial Concept Curation
Final Concept Pitch
TECHNOLOGY ANALYSIS
Understanding the capabilities of the AI/ML technology
At the start of the project, our first task was to choose a specific AI/ML application or technique to serve as the foundation for our exploration. We considered options such as recommender systems, natural language processing, image classifiers, and generative AI. The aim was to gain a comprehensive understanding of the capabilities and limitations of these technologies, allowing us to uncover valuable insights and identify potential use cases for our project. This crucial initial step established the foundation upon which we built our subsequent exploration phases.
This metaphor explains the concept in a simple and relatable way. The chef's ability to modify recipes and create new dishes is similar to the Generative AI's ability to generate unique outputs based on its training data. This metaphor also highlights the creative aspect of Generative AI, just like a chef's artistic expression through their cooking.
What can it do and what activities does it enable?
BRAINSTORMING
Mapping generic activities to specific tasks within domains
During this phase, we focused on the activities supported by our chosen technology and brainstormed potential domains that would benefit from our application or technique. Our goal was to find a niche domain that aligned with our interests and expertise. By matching the identified activities to specific tasks within the selected domain, we generated a diverse set of at least 20 distinct concepts. Through this process, we showcased the potential of AI matchmaking to enhance experiences across various domains. Additional ideas emerged from discussions with friends after explaining the capabilities of the technology.
INITIAL CONCEPT CURATION
Generating and refining ideas
After the ideation phase, we prioritized feasibility and desirability, ensuring that our concepts were both technically viable and aligned with user needs and desires and we chose three of our most promising concepts to present to our peers, seeking valuable feedback and insights. This collaborative process facilitated the refinement of our ideas and allowed us to select one concept for further exploration during the concept refinement phase.
Concept 1 - Custom Clothing Designer
Concept 2 - Style Recommender
Concept 3 - Personalized Storybook for Children
FINAL CONCEPT PITCH
Refining the concept
In the concept refinement phase, our objective was to select one idea and conduct further research to confirm its viability in terms of technical feasibility and user demand. Based on feedback from the peer critique session, I chose the concept of personalized storybooks for kids and conducted additional research to validate its potential. To achieve this, I carried out qualitative research by interviewing three parents with children between the ages of 2 and 15. Additionally, I considered the technical feasibility of the concept by evaluating existing and proven technology in this field.
Insights from qualitative research
Through the interviews conducted with parents for the StoryGenie concept, I gained invaluable insights into the challenges and considerations associated with developing such a project. These insights have significantly contributed to my understanding of the key factors that need to be addressed when working on the concept. They will serve as a crucial guide in the development process, ensuring that the project meets the necessary requirements and effectively addresses the identified challenges.
The refined concept
For the final concept, the name was changed from StoryGenie to My StoryWeaver. This new name emphasizes the user's active role in crafting personalized stories and reflects the concept's aim of empowering individuals to become storytellers. It captures the essence of the concept, inviting users to embark on a creative journey of storytelling and imagination.
My Story Weaver concept aims to provide children with an interactive storytelling experience, where they co-create their own tales with the help of AI technology. The platform allows children to provide inputs and personalize their stories, which are then generated by the AI. The goal is to encourage creativity and imagination, while providing children with a fun and educational experience.
REFLECTION
The matchmaking project was a valuable learning opportunity to explore the potential of AI/ML technology in various domains. Although I had limited technical knowledge, I developed a concept of personalized storytelling for children, which evolved from my initial ideas in the fashion industry. The extensive interviews with parents gave me valuable insights into the needs and concerns of the target audience, which will shape the overall vision for the project. I am proud of my efforts in testing the concept's viability and exploring the world of personalized storytelling. However, I could have improved the project by creating a prototype of the concept, allowing for a deeper understanding of the technology and potential feedback from users. Overall, the project has given me a deeper appreciation for the importance of considering both the technical and user-centered aspects of product development.