AI Isn’t Good at UX

Key Takeaways

• AI generates functional code but struggles with UI layout.
• Repeated prompts produced unusable tablet-friendly designs.
• AI lacks grasp of human-centered design principles.
• Consultants must master UX to ensure quality interfaces.
• Relying solely on AI risks poor user experiences.

Pulse Analysis

Artificial intelligence has become a powerful ally for developers, especially in generating boilerplate code and translating specifications into functional components. In the Salesforce ecosystem, AI can swiftly produce Lightning Web Components that replace legacy Aura code, delivering near‑perfect syntax and logic. This efficiency accelerates development cycles, reduces manual errors, and frees engineers to focus on higher‑level tasks. However, the same models falter when asked to consider visual hierarchy, spacing, and interaction patterns that are crucial for tablet‑optimized interfaces.

The shortfall stems from AI’s limited understanding of human psychology, which underpins effective UX design. While large language models excel at pattern recognition within code repositories, they lack experiential insight into how users perceive, process, and react to visual elements. Concepts such as affordance, cognitive load, and emotional response are not easily distilled from training data, leading to repetitive, “craptastic” layout suggestions. Consequently, AI‑generated UI often violates established design systems like Salesforce SLDS, resulting in inconsistent and confusing experiences.

For businesses, this gap translates into a strategic imperative: retain or upskill consultants who specialize in user experience. Human designers can interpret user research, apply psychological principles, and iterate designs that resonate with target audiences. A hybrid workflow—leveraging AI for rapid prototyping while entrusting UX decisions to experts—offers the best of both worlds. As AI models evolve, they may incorporate richer behavioral data, but until they truly internalize human‑centered design, the role of skilled UX professionals remains indispensable.