How to Build Intentional UX in an Era of Persuasive Technology

In 2023, I published an article titled How to Build Intentional UX in an Era of Persuasive Technology in both UX Collective and Fast Company, aiming to raise awareness among designers about the importance of accounting for human vulnerabilities in digital design. I wanted to underscore the need to design products that enhance metacognitive skills and internet literacy. The inspiration for this piece came from observations during the COVID-19 pandemic, when truth became costly, yet misinformation spread effortlessly, provoking online hostility and polarization. This experience made me realise the significant role UX designers play in shaping the speed and acceptance of information. Studying psychology and brain development further highlighted that human cognition isn't designed for constant critical evaluation, emphasising a need for intentional UX that respects cognitive limits and encourages thoughtful interaction.

On the back of this article, I was invited to be a guest on The Agile Drop podcast, which provided an incredible opportunity to expand on the ethical role UX designers can play in influencing online behaviour. This platform allowed me to delve deeper into why and how we can ethically provoke users by adding thoughtful friction in the design process, encouraging more deliberate engagement and critical thinking. This conversation reinforced my commitment to promoting design that respects cognitive limits and helps build a more intentional digital landscape where users can interact with content more thoughtfully.