Craft vs. Complacency: the ethics of laziness in AI-driven UX

The author argues that AI is not making UX worse, but rather sloppy designers are. A recent experience with a partner sending a poorly edited image generated by AI and then photoshopped highlights the problem. The issue is not the tools used but the judgment of the designer. If the image had been used, it would have damaged the client's brand and reflected poorly on their design firm. Lazy design is contagious and can erode trust between designers and clients. The author and Patrick Neeman recently gave a talk at UXPA Boston, where they used AI-generated images with intentional errors to demonstrate the need for human oversight. The point is not to criticize AI, but to show that it requires human judgment to produce good outcomes. The ethics of using AI are not just about privacy and surveillance, but also about the effort and discipline required to produce high-quality work. The author believes that designers must hold themselves to high standards and not let AI lower their expectations.