Thriving in the AI Shift: The Future of UX Roles

In recent years, the tech industry has gone through massive upheaval—layoffs, shifting team structures, and the rapid rise of AI. For many UX designers and researchers, this uncertainty has sparked real questions about career stability and the future of our roles. Shall we start simply packing or is there an opportunity for us to rethink how we contribute and where our skills truly shine?

In this talk, Ula and Aydeen share insights from a 2026 research project based on interviews and a community survey, exploring how UX professionals are reinventing themselves in an AI-driven world.

Blending personal reflection with grounded research, this session offers a realistic yet reassuring perspective on how UX roles are evolving—and practical steps for finding clarity, direction, and agency in uncertain times

This session is for you if you’re a UX designer, researcher, or product professional experiencing or reflecting on how AI and recent industry shifts are affecting your role. It’s relevant for those at different career stages who are questioning how their work is changing and are curious to hear how others in the field are navigating this moment.

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