As more products introduce agentic AI, many of the hardest UX challenges aren’t showing up as obvious usability issues. They’re emerging quietly—over time, outside traditional moments of interaction.
This post explores why agentic systems are stretching the UX playbook, why this isn’t a skills problem, and why UX in ATX is starting 2026 with open questions instead of polished answers.
2025 was a quieter year in the UX community—not because nothing happened, but because so much did. Layoffs, shifting roles, and the rapid rise of AI pushed many designers to pull back, focus inward, and rethink how (and where) they showed up.
This post reflects on that pause—on learning, uncertainty, relationships over resumes, and why UX in ATX is returning in 2026 as a space for honest, practitioner-led conversation rather than polished answers.
As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into the products we design, it’s reshaping how users interact with technology—and what they’re giving up in return. Interfaces are becoming more conversational, more predictive, and sometimes even emotionally responsive. But with these advancements come important questions about consent, trust, and behavioral influence. In this session, we explore the…
Designers have always been translators—turning complex business needs + user goals into experiences. Now, we’re shifting more to translating human intent into AI understanding, and it’s truly transforming how we work. In “The art of the prompt,” explore how prompting has evolved into a strategic design competency. You’ll discover practical frameworks for using thoughtful prompt…
The world of AI-powered design tools is evolving at lightning speed. New tools emerge, old ones improve, and our workflows shift accordingly. In this session, Oliver Reyes broke down the latest AI design tools he uses daily, from enhancing creativity to streamlining tedious tasks. He’ll share what each tool does, how it works, and—most importantly—how…
Learn the importance of effectively communicate the value of you design decisions to stakeholders, gain buy-in for projects, and ultimately ensure that their designs align with the company’s overall business goals by demonstrating how improved user experience translates into tangible benefits like increased sales, customer retention, and cost reduction. Download the slides here
There’s a lot of chatter about how to leverage Gen AI tools in the UX field and in our daily lives. Yet there are HUGE opportunities for the UX community to positively impact the design and creation of AI-driven technologies; we get to design *for* AI technologies. In this session you will learn some practical…
In today’s competitive workplace, the ability to advocate for yourself is not just a skill; it’s a necessity. This engaging talk with Robyn Rodriguez and Hanna Lupico dives into the transformative power of self-advocacy and provides actionable strategies for putting it into practice.
Effective facilitation can be the difference between a boring meeting and a successful session. “Facilitation for All: Crafting Dynamic Workshops and Conversations” delves into the art and science of guiding groups through engaging and productive sessions. This talk provides practical insights and actionable strategies for facilitators of all backgrounds and experience levels. From structuring workshops…
Does SEO feel like a secret language that you know is out there and important, but you just don’t know where to start? If you’re confused about SEO Heather Herrick explains what SEO is and explain some basics that UXers should understand in order to make better decisions when designing a website.
This UX in ATX panel discussion focused on the symbiotic relationship between product managers and user experience teams. Today, most PM’s understand the value of UX, but in many organizations, they treat UX as implementers when UX can be so much more. In fact, the strategic collaboration between Product Managers and UX experts is crucial…
What should designers think about in keeping their career future forward? UX in ATX co-founder Cindy Brummer shared insights from SXSW 2024 on what’s ahead for design.
In this workshop with our guest Lena Clark of Sunflower UX, participants learned how to How to effectively communicate your unique problem-solving processes during job interviews. Including:
In this panel workshop, Lawrence Humphrey, founder of Pearl, and a panel of pros share insights on the networking and job interview process.
With recent shifts in big tech, traditional sectors are proving that total experience can revolutionize outcomes. This panel session unveils how emerging and non-tech industries can secure the best UX and human factors minds, paving the way for remarkable user experiences. Speakers: