Designing for Humans in the Loop

Most AI literacy programs are solving the wrong problem — and in this episode, Riley Coleman explains why.Instead of teaching people tools, features, and prompts, Riley argues that organisations must rebuild the mental models, habits, workflows, and governance that help humans think differently about how to get work done in an AI-enhanced world.We dive deep into what it really takes to build AI-ready teams, why AI-native organisations are already moving faster, and how leaders can design for trust, safety and confidence while technology accelerates exponentially.This episode is essential listening for design leaders, product teams, and anyone navigating the human side of AI adoption.What we coverWhy most AI literacy programs failThe 5 foundational layers of true AI literacyThe ROI problem: why organisations aren’t seeing valueMental models, habits and new ways of workingThe danger of agentic AI without governanceHow to build trust and psychological safetyMeaningful friction vs frictionless designThe Three-Speed Organisation model for the AI eraWhy service designers are now mission-criticalHow leaders can “slow down to go fast”Quotes worth remembering“Most AI literacy programs are solving the wrong problem.”“AI breaks every design principle we’ve relied on for decades.”“Slow down now so you can go impossibly fast later.”“Trust is the bedrock of any human–AI collaboration.”“Agentic AI terrifies me — because most organisations aren’t ready.”About Riley ColemanRiley is an AI literacy and organisational transformation expert helping teams build the confidence, capability and governance needed to adopt AI safely and effectively. Riley’s work blends human-centred design, ethics, psychology and organisational systems thinking.Resources & LinksRiley Coleman - LinkedInAI Flywheel: https://ai-flywheel.comBCG Report — “Where’s the Value in AI?” -⁠ LinkRiley’s Maven CoursesHuman-Centred Ethical AI that Users Trust - Maven Course Riley’s Linkedin Articles 1. From Interfaces to Relationships: The Design Transformation That Determines Whether Your AI Succeeds or Fails 2. Building Adaptive Operations for the AI Era HostsTaryn D’Souza & Justin Hevey are design leaders and co-hosts of Designing for Humans in the Loop, a podcast exploring the future of AI, design and human experience.Taryn D’Souza — LinkedInJustin Hevey — LinkedInSubscribe to Designing for Humans in the Loop on Substack

Justin and Tron sit down with Ben Hoogenboom—founder of AI for Enterprise—to explore what’s really happening inside boardrooms as AI shifts from buzzword to business imperative.From fear of missing out to navigating transformation at scale, this episode dives into the tensions, questions, and opportunities facing today’s executive teams—and the essential role design plays in making AI work for humans, not just systems.We talk about:What executives are actually asking about AI behind closed doorsThe five “flavors” of AI uncertainty across enterprise environmentsHow AI agents are reshaping workflows and unlocking human potentialThe mindset shift from “human replacement” to “human amplification”Why designers need a seat at the AI strategy tableWhether you're a designer, strategist, or simply trying to make sense of AI in your work, this episode offers a grounded, insightful look at the future of intelligent systems—and the humans designing with them.

In this episode, we speak with Alyona Medelyan, CEO of Thematic, about how AI — specifically natural language processing (NLP) — is helping organizations turn unstructured customer feedback into meaningful insights. Aliona shares her journey from computational linguistics to founding a platform that empowers teams to understand not just what customers are saying, but why.We explore:The evolution of NLP and large language modelsHow AI can analyze real customer feedback at scaleThe importance of democratizing access to insightsWhy understanding the “why” matters more than just the metricsAt its heart, this episode is about designing AI systems that truly listen to people, supporting more human-aware decisions across research, product, and customer experience.

Vincent Koch is a thought leader at the intersection of AI, data, and design. As a lecturer, futurist, and former Chief Data and AI Officer, Vincent has worked with cutting-edge generative AI technologies to reshape how organisations approach design and user experiences. In this episode, Vincent shares insights into how AI can augment human creativity, the challenges of hyper-personalisation, and the evolving role of designers in crafting user-centric experiences. He also introduces his Generative AI Compass, a framework for navigating the complexities of designing with AI. Takeaways - Designers play a key role in balancing user autonomy and curated experiences in AI-driven systems. - Hyper-personalisation is both an opportunity and a challenge in creating meaningful UX. - Generative AI tools can accelerate prototyping and expand creative possibilities. - Synthetic user testing can augment traditional research methods to explore diverse user needs. - Designers must act as curators to guide users through infinite choices. - The evolving design process requires embracing experimentation and flexibility. - Organisations need clear principles and frameworks to manage AI biases and outputs. - Collaboration between technologists, designers, and product teams is essential for AI success. - Ethical considerations must guide AI implementation to build trust and create value. Tune in to discover how AI is transforming the creative process and redefining the boundaries of design.

This episode is about The role of design in the evolving landscape of AI with our special guest, Chris Rolling. Chris is a visionary at the intersection of AI, design, and innovation. With roots in London's creative scene and a pivotal role in launching R/GA Sydney, he found his stride at Google, where he spearheaded groundbreaking customer experiences by merging AI with human-centered design. Now, as the founder of Dare Together, Chris is revolutionising the ethical application of AI in business. His mission: to create culturally safe AI services that boost revenue and optimise team efficiency. Takeaways Designers have a crucial role in shaping AI experiences. AI can enhance the design process by augmenting creativity. The T-shaped designer model is essential for future skills. Collaboration with AI specialists is vital for effective design. Ethical considerations must be at the forefront of AI design. Designers need to be proactive in reallocating time freed by AI. Understanding marketing is important for designers to communicate effectively. The fundamentals of design are more important than ever in the AI landscape. Experimentation and stepping out of comfort zones are key for designers. AI presents an opportunity to rethink traditional design processes.