Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to enter the UX world, many researchers are asking: What exactly is the difference between AI-powered research and traditional UX research? Are we evolving or replacing our practice? The answer lies not in opposition—but in augmentation. Traditional UX Research: Depth Through Human Empathy Traditional UX research is rooted in human-centered principles . Whether it's moderated interviews, contextual

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader In the ever-evolving landscape of UX research, artificial intelligence isn’t just a trend—it’s a transformation. From streamlining analysis to unlocking new capabilities, AI is redefining how researchers work, where we spend our time, and what’s possible within our processes. From Labor-Intensive to Lightning Fast Historically, UX research has been time-consuming. Transcribing interviews, synthesizing insights, coding data, and writing r

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader AI is quickly becoming an essential partner for UX researchers. From brainstorming research questions to synthesizing findings, the right prompts can unlock faster insights and help teams scale research impact. Below is a curated list of 100 AI prompts for UX research , organized into categories you can use throughout the research lifecycle. Research Planning & Strategy Generate research questions about [specific feature/product]. Create

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader How to Ask Smarter Questions in an AI-Augmented Workflow As UX research evolves in tandem with AI, the way we ask questions is changing. Prompts—whether used in generative tools, synthesis engines, or stakeholder conversations—are becoming the new currency of insight. But not all prompts are created equal. The best prompts don’t just extract data. They unlock meaning. Whether you're guiding AI tools to generate personas, summarize interv

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader What the Balance Looks Like As AI continues to reshape the landscape of design and decision-making, UX research stands at a pivotal crossroads. The question is no longer whether machine intelligence will play a role—it already does. The real question is: how do we balance the precision of algorithms with the depth of human empathy? This isn’t a story of replacement. It’s a story of integration. Empathy Isn’t Optional At its core, UX rese

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader Why Human-Centered Insight Still Matters in an AI-Driven World The rise of AI has sparked a wave of speculation across industries, and UX research is no exception. With machine learning models capable of parsing user behavior, generating personas, and even predicting design outcomes, it’s fair to ask: will AI replace UX researchers? The short answer? No. But the long answer is far more interesting—and essential for leaders navigating the

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader As AI continues to reshape industries, UX researchers face a pivotal opportunity: not just to adapt, but to lead. In AI-first organizations—where machine learning, automation, and predictive systems drive product strategy—the role of UX research is evolving from tactical support to strategic stewardship. Here’s what that future looks like. From Usability to Explainability Traditional UX research has focused on usability, clarity, and sat

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader Role: Manager, User Experience Research (player/coach) Company: Fortune 50 healthcare organization (multi‑line) Timeline: 12 weeks (Phase 1) Team: 1 PM, 2 Product Designers, 1 Content Designer, 1 Data Analyst, 1 UXR (me), Eng Lead Headline Outcome We improved task success and perceived ease/satisfaction for “Find Your Benefits” by ~20–22% and lifted engagement with the benefits area to a top‑five feature within a month of release.

By Philip Burgess - UX Research Leader If you’ve ever presented research to executives and felt the energy drain the moment you mentioned usability scores or journey maps, you’re not alone. Many executives care first and foremost about revenue, growth, and risk mitigation . The good news? UX research directly impacts all three—you just need to frame it the right way. 1. Speak the Language of Business, Not Research Executives don’t buy into research because it’s “interesting”