How AI is reshaping the future of UX

Figma’s original vision — eliminating the gap between imagination and reality — is now converging with the rise of AI. Dylan emphasizes that generative tools like LLMs and diffusion models let more people express creativity, while also reshaping the role of designers.

“Design is art applied to problem solving. LLMs map to problem solving. Diffusion maps to art. The future is hybrid.”

Lowering the floor, raising the ceiling

AI will make design accessible to many more people by reducing barriers to entry and automating repetitive tasks. But it won’t replace designers.

“Before AI replaces any part of design, it will increase access and efficiency.”

Designers will work faster, focus more on high-leverage creative problems, and spend less time on manual production.

The loop matters more than the prompt

Dylan sees the human–AI feedback loop as central to the future of UX. Great tools will let users steer AI in real time, through sliders, inputs, visual controls, and other forms of direct manipulation.

“The faster you can make that loop happen, the better.”

This vision rejects the idea that chatbots or agents will replace traditional UI. Instead, AI will expand interaction models, not collapse them.

Prompting is not the end state

Designing by typing magical phrases into a text box isn’t sustainable. Interfaces must evolve to let users shape outcomes without memorizing prompt syntax.

“It still seems so primitive... drawing shapes and adding a prompt isn’t the future.”

Figma is exploring ways to let users traverse latent space — adjusting design intent along custom dimensions like tone, emotion, or mood.

Multimodal UX is coming, but not everywhere

Dylan is bullish on intelligent cameras, mixed input modes, and voice where appropriate. But he’s skeptical of all-in voice or Minority Report-style gestures as dominant paradigms.

“Every time we get a new interaction model, we assume it will replace everything. But it won’t.”

Different modes will find their place — and traditional interfaces will remain central for complex creative work.

Chat UIs won’t kill software

Dylan sees chat and agents as powerful tools — but not replacements for UI. Just as TikTok didn’t kill YouTube, AI chat won’t eliminate interfaces.

“If anything, we’ll have more UI and more software than before.”

Figma is embracing agents and automation, but staying focused on interface craft and the entire software creation lifecycle.

Listen to the full episode here.

Source: No Priors podcast