DX Perspective: Building Intelligent Systems, AI Disruption Risk, and Shifts Redefining Work
Exploring why we need a countermeasure against unspoken leadership challenges, examining eight big shifts redefining work today, and understanding AI disruption through Chegg's massive valuation drop.
Hi all!
Here’s your weekly dose of DX Perspective, a list of what I’m exploring and thinking about. Feel free to forward this along to friends.
kw picks
Why We Need A Countermeasure by Greg Larkin
There are hidden truths to how leadership and innovation work that everyone struggles with but no one talks about.
Is Your Product at Risk of AI Disruption?
Chegg's 87.5% valuation drop. Stack Overflow's traffic decline. These are early examples of Product Market Fit Collapse, but there will certainly be more cases as AI roils established markets.
What I'm reading
Eight Big Shifts Redefining Work Today by Andy Spence
In my keynote, “Rewriting the Rules of Work”, I explored some of the shifts reshaping how work gets done. Here’s a distilled version - with eight key transformations every Work Designer should know.
From Tools to Teammates: Navigating the New Human-AI Relationship
AI is finally delivering on its long-promised productivity gains—but not without consequences. As organizations rapidly adopt AI tools, many workers report improved productivity, but also rising burnout, emotional disconnection, and a shift in how they relate to both teammates and technology. In the age of AI, sustainable productivity gains require not just AI adoption, but a redesign of how work is structured, human relationships are supported, and talent is deployed.
What I'm watching + listening to
The Future of AI with Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas
AI is changing the way we seek, process, and trust information. As models become more advanced, what does the future hold for AI-powered search? In this fireside chat, Aravind Srinivas, CEO & co-founder of Perplexity, sits down with Professor Jim Waldo to explore the evolving AI landscape and share his journey from OpenAI, Google, and DeepMind to building a new kind of “answer engine.” They’ll dive into what’s next for AI, the challenges of scaling, and how Perplexity is reshaping the way we interact with information.
Design Better Live AMA at The New York Times
Aarron and Eli join Matt Raw, interim head of design, at the Times headquarters for a conversation with their design team.
Emerging Tech
Tools and Resources
20+ GenAI UX patterns, examples and implementation tactics
A shared language for product teams to build usable, intelligent and safe GenAI experiences beyond just the model.
The most comprehensive UX framework for data-informed decisions
Have you ever noticed that some animation sequences can be improved with just a touch of delay? Or that some interactions just feel better without any motion at all? Devouring Details is an interactive reference manual for interaction-curious designers, containing 20 chapters with 20 downloadable React components.
Brand strategy coach who teaches users to think, not just write briefs.
Agentic Design Patterns: Building Intelligent Systems - Antonio Gulli
The provided sources collectively introduce the concept of agentic design patterns, explaining how to build intelligent AI systems that can operate autonomously. They describe foundational patterns like prompt chaining, which sequences AI interactions; routing, which directs AI behavior based on conditions; and reflection, allowing AI to self-correct.
My recent articles
Are You Actually Making Progress? How I Rewired My Weekly Reflection to Drive Real Impact
Strategic Design Leadership: Essential Questions for Design Executives
Fueling Innovation: How Design Leaders Drive Product Transformation
Moving Beyond Execution — The Evolution to Strategic Design Leadership
Decoding The Future: The Evolution Of Intelligent Interfaces
🔈 Design Leadership at Scale — Shape The Future of Business
DLS courses are built for design leaders ready to sharpen their strategy, expand their influence, and lead at the highest level. Whether you‘re mapping your next career move, strengthening design operations, or stepping into executive leadership, these programs give you the frameworks and insights to drive real impact.
DLS: Career Strategy (Sept 13–14)
Your career journey deserves intention and strategy. This weekend immersive is designed for design leaders who are ready to map out their path, elevate their impact, and align their leadership trajectory with long-term goals. Whether refining your current role or preparing for new opportunities, you’ll gain actionable frameworks to craft a career that stands out in a competitive market.
DLS: Executive
This advanced course is tailored for senior design leaders—Senior Directors, VPs, SVPs, and CDOs — who are ready to lead at the intersection of design, business strategy, and emerging technology. Dive deep into aligning design with business objectives, fostering product culture transformation, and building scalable operations that support innovation and growth.
DLS: Operations (Sept 16–25)
Scaling a design organization without compromising quality or culture is a challenge every design leader faces. This course equips senior and emerging design operations leaders with the tools to build robust infrastructure, optimize processes, and drive operational excellence. From talent development to systems that support rapid growth, this program is crafted for leaders ready to take their teams to the next level.
DLS: Director+
Built for experienced design leaders ready to step up to executive roles, Director+ focuses on leading in complex, matrixed organizations, scaling your influence, and making high-impact decisions. This course will empower you to lead with clarity and confidence, bridging design with broader business goals to drive value across the organization.
And please give me feedback. Which bullet above is your favorite? What do you want more or less of? Other suggestions? Please let me know.
Have a great weekend.
— Rachel