The Ethics of User Data Collection in a World of Big Tech

A mini series with co-author ChatGPT – Part 4 of 12

In today's world of big tech, user data collection has become a ubiquitous part of our online interactions. While data collection can offer valuable insights and personalized experiences for users, it also raises ethical concerns around user privacy, consent, and data security.

One of the primary ethical concerns around user data collection is the lack of transparency around how data is being collected and used. Many users are unaware of the extent to which their personal data is being collected and shared with third parties. This lack of transparency can lead to distrust and concerns around the responsibility of tech companies to protect user privacy.

Another ethical concern is the potential for discrimination and bias in data collection and analysis. If data is biased or incomplete, it can perpetuate social inequalities and lead to discriminatory practices. This has been particularly highlighted in areas such as algorithmic hiring or credit scoring where algorithms have been shown to discriminate against certain groups.

There is also a concern around data security and the potential for data breaches. As we have seen in recent years, data breaches can have serious consequences for individuals, including identity theft and financial fraud.

Despite these concerns, user data collection remains a key driver of innovation and personalization in the tech industry. As such, it is important for companies to prioritize user privacy and ethical considerations when collecting and using data.

One way to address ethical concerns around user data collection is to implement strong data protection regulations. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the EU and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in the US are two examples of regulations designed to protect user privacy and data security.

Another way to address ethical concerns is to prioritize transparency and consent in data collection. Companies can provide clear and concise explanations of how data is being collected and used, and allow users to opt-out of data collection if they choose.

In conclusion, the ethics of user data collection is an important topic in today's world of big tech. As users, it is important to be aware of how our data is being collected and used, and to advocate for strong data protection regulations and transparency around data collection. As tech companies, it is important to prioritize ethical considerations around user privacy, consent, and data security.

If you want to learn more about the ethics of user data collection, here are some credible articles that provide additional insights:

  1. "The Ethics of User Data Collection" by Harvard Business Review: This article discusses the importance of ethical considerations in user data collection and offers suggestions for how companies can prioritize user privacy and security. https://hbr.org/2018/04/the-ethics-of-user-data-collection

  2. "Data Collection and Ethics in the Age of AI" by MIT Sloan Management Review: This article explores the ethical considerations around data collection in the age of artificial intelligence and offers suggestions for how companies can navigate this complex landscape. https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/data-collection-and-ethics-in-the-age-of-ai/

  3. "Why the Ethics of User Data Collection in Online Learning Matter" by EdTech Magazine: This article explores the ethical concerns around data collection in the online learning space and offers suggestions for how educators and tech companies can address these concerns. https://www.edtechmagazine.com/higher/article/2020/06/why-ethics-user-data-collection-online-learning-matter-perfcon

The Rise of Voice Assistants: How They're Changing the Way We Interact with Technology

A mini series with co-author ChatGPT – Part 3 of 12

Voice assistants, such as Amazon's Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple's Siri, have become increasingly popular over the past few years. With the ability to control our devices, answer our questions, and even play our favorite songs, voice assistants are changing the way we interact with technology. In this blog post, we'll explore the rise of voice assistants and their impact on our daily lives.

One of the most significant benefits of voice assistants is their ability to make our lives easier and more convenient. With just a simple voice command, we can set reminders, make calls, and even control our home automation systems. This level of convenience can save us time and help us be more productive throughout our day.

Another area where voice assistants are having a significant impact is in the way we consume content. With the rise of smart speakers, such as Amazon's Echo and Google Home, we can now access news, podcasts, and other media with just our voice. This has the potential to transform the way we consume content, making it more accessible and intuitive than ever before.

Beyond their convenience and impact on content consumption, voice assistants are also having a significant impact on the way we interact with technology. With the rise of natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning, voice assistants are becoming more sophisticated and intuitive than ever before. As a result, they can better understand our commands, anticipate our needs, and even provide personalized recommendations.

As voice assistants continue to become more prevalent, we can expect to see even more innovative and exciting use cases. For instance, businesses are beginning to explore the potential of voice assistants in customer service, allowing customers to get answers to their questions and support through a natural and intuitive voice interface.

In conclusion, the rise of voice assistants is changing the way we interact with technology, providing us with a new level of convenience, accessibility, and personalization. With the right investment and implementation, voice assistants have the potential to transform the way we live and work, making our daily lives easier and more productive than ever before.

If you want to learn more about voice assistants, here are some credible articles that provide additional insights:

  1. "The Rise of Voice Assistants: How AI Is Changing the Way We Live" by Forbes: This article explores the impact of voice assistants on our daily lives and the potential for voice assistants to transform industries like healthcare and finance. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2020/02/14/the-rise-of-voice-assistants-how-ai-is-changing-the-way-we-live/?sh=20457d834b2f

  2. "The Future of Voice Assistants: 7 Predictions for 2021 and Beyond" by Business Insider: This article discusses the potential of voice assistants in the future, including their impact on e-commerce and advertising. https://www.businessinsider.com/future-of-voice-assistants-2019-11

  3. "Why Voice Assistants Are Becoming Key To Retailers' E-commerce Strategies" by Retail Dive: This article explores the potential for voice assistants in e-commerce and the ways in which retailers are using voice assistants to improve customer experiences. https://www.retaildive.com/news/why-voice-assistants-are-becoming-key-to-retailers-e-commerce-strategies/570101/

The Future of Augmented Reality in eCommerce

A mini-series with the worlds new favorite co-author, ChatGPT - Part 1 of 12

Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that overlays digital content onto the physical world, creating a new and exciting way to interact with products and services. In recent years, AR has gained traction in the eCommerce industry, offering a new level of engagement and interactivity for shoppers. In this blog post, we’ll explore the future of augmented reality in eCommerce and how it’s set to transform the way we shop online.

One of the most significant benefits of AR in eCommerce is its ability to create immersive and interactive product experiences. AR technology allows shoppers to visualize products in their own environment, giving them a sense of how products would look in their homes or workplaces. For instance, a furniture retailer might use AR to allow customers to visualize how a new couch or chair would look in their living room before making a purchase. This level of interactivity can increase engagement, build brand loyalty, and ultimately drive sales.

Another area where AR is set to have a significant impact in eCommerce is through the creation of virtual try-on experiences. With AR, shoppers can “try on” products like clothing or makeup, without ever leaving their homes. This not only provides a more convenient shopping experience but also reduces the risk of returns due to poor fit or mismatched colors. By leveraging AR technology, retailers can enhance the shopping experience and reduce the friction associated with online purchases.

Beyond product visualization and virtual try-on experiences, AR has the potential to revolutionize the entire eCommerce industry. As AR technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see more seamless and integrated experiences across platforms. For instance, retailers could use AR to create virtual storefronts or product showrooms, allowing customers to browse and purchase products in a fully immersive environment.

In conclusion, the future of augmented reality in eCommerce is incredibly exciting. AR technology offers a new level of engagement and interactivity for shoppers, while also providing retailers with a powerful tool to drive sales and build brand loyalty. As the technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative and exciting use cases for AR in the eCommerce industry. With the right investment and implementation, AR has the potential to transform the way we shop online, making the eCommerce experience more engaging, convenient, and enjoyable for everyone involved.

  1. “5 Ways Augmented Reality is Revolutionizing E-Commerce” by Harvard Business Review: This article discusses how AR is changing the eCommerce industry and provides real-world examples of companies using AR to drive engagement and sales. https://hbr.org/2019/02/5-ways-augmented-reality-is-revolutionizing-e-commerce

  2. “How Augmented Reality is Revolutionizing Ecommerce” by Forbes: This article explores the benefits of AR in eCommerce and provides insights into how businesses can leverage AR to improve customer experiences and drive sales. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2021/05/06/how-augmented-reality-is-revolutionizing-ecommerce/?sh=7e8c1d584b7d

  3. “The Future of E-Commerce: Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality” by TechCrunch: This article discusses the potential of AR and virtual reality (VR) in eCommerce and provides insights into how these technologies could transform the industry. https://techcrunch.com/2018/03/11/the-future-of-e-commerce-augmented-reality-and-virtual-reality/

  4. “Augmented Reality in E-Commerce: Benefits and Use Cases” by Smashing Magazine: This article provides an in-depth look at the benefits and use cases of AR in eCommerce, as well as tips on how to implement AR in your own online store. https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2018/01/augmented-reality-ecommerce-benefits-use-cases/

The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on UX Design

A mini-series with the worlds new favorite co-author, ChatGPT - Part 1 of 12

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming many aspects of our lives, and UX design is no exception. From chatbots to voice assistants, AI-powered technologies are becoming increasingly common in the products and services we use every day. In this post, we'll explore the impact of AI on UX design and how it's changing the way we interact with technology.

One of the most significant ways AI is impacting UX design is by enabling more personalized experiences. AI algorithms can analyze user data to identify patterns and preferences, allowing for tailored experiences that meet individual needs. For example, a website might use AI to recommend products based on a user's previous purchases or browsing history. This level of personalization can enhance user satisfaction and increase engagement.

Another way AI is changing UX design is by automating routine tasks, freeing designers to focus on more creative work. For instance, AI can generate layout options for a website or app based on user preferences, reducing the time and effort needed for manual design work. This allows designers to focus on higher-level tasks like creating innovative interfaces or improving overall user experience.

AI is also helping to improve accessibility in UX design. AI-powered assistive technologies, like speech recognition and screen readers, are making digital experiences more accessible to people with disabilities. This helps to ensure that all users can benefit from the latest advancements in technology.

In conclusion, AI is transforming UX design in many ways, from personalized experiences to automation and accessibility. As AI continues to evolve and become more widespread, it's likely that we'll see even more exciting developments in the field of UX design. By leveraging the power of AI, designers can create more engaging, user-friendly experiences that meet the needs of today's tech-savvy consumers.

References:

  1. "The Rise of AI in UX Design: What You Need to Know" by Adobe: This article discusses how AI is transforming UX design and provides real-world examples of AI-powered UX design solutions.

  2. "The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on User Experience" by UX Collective: This article explores how AI is changing the way we approach user experience design and offers insights into how designers can leverage AI to create better user experiences.

  3. "How Artificial Intelligence is Changing the Future of UX" by Forbes: This article examines the impact of AI on UX design and discusses the potential of AI to improve personalization, automation, and accessibility in user experiences.

  4. "The Role of AI in UX Design" by UX Design: This article provides an in-depth look at the ways AI is transforming UX design and offers tips on how designers can integrate AI into their design processes.

  5. "Designing for Accessibility with AI" by Google: This article discusses how AI-powered assistive technologies are improving accessibility in UX design and provides examples of how designers can use AI to create more inclusive experiences for users with disabilities.

  • How is this impacting your industry?

  • What are you doing about it?

  • How did ChatGPT do?

  • Thoughts, feedback, insights?

UX Bootcamp in Blogpost

So you think you want to be a UXer? Take a look at some resources I keep on my bookmarks for when I’m connecting my network.

If you’re a go-getter personality (like me!) — I don’t think you need a degree or even a paid bootcamp to pull off this career shift, but the network it builds is worth the investment in MOST cases. I still wouldn’t wish my student loans on my worst enemy.

Enjoy this list!

-L


UX Design

User experience (UX) design is the process design teams use to create products that provide meaningful and relevant experiences to users. This involves the design of the entire process of acquiring and integrating the product, including aspects of branding, design, usability and function.

What does a UX Designer do?

It is important to be aware that UX designers are not typically responsible for the visual design of a product. Rather, they focus on the journey that the user takes and how the product is structured to facilitate this journey.

“How do I explain what I do at a party? The short version is that I say I humanize technology.”

— Fred Beecher, Director of UX, The Nerdery

Additional Resources:

UX Research

UX (user experience) research is the systematic investigation of users and their requirements, in order to add context and insight into the process of designing the user experience. In comparison to user research, UX research does not necessarily assume an iterative process.

  • Quantitative research is any research that can be measured numerically. It answers questions such as “how many people clicked here” or “what percentage of users are able to find the call to action?” It’s valuable in understanding statistical likelihoods and what is happening on a site or in an app.

  • Qualitative research is sometimes called “soft” research. It answers questions like “why didn’t people see the call to action” and “what else did people notice on the page?” and often takes the form of interviews or conversations. Qualitative research helps us understand why people do the things they do

Objectives:

  • Conducting user research

  • Creating user personas

  • Determining the information architecture of a digital product

  • Designing user flows and wireframes

  • Creating prototypes

  • Conducting user testing

Methods:

  • Observation

  • Understanding

  • Analysis

  • Interviews

  • Surveys and Questions

  • Card Sorts

  • Usability Tests

  • Tree Tests

  • A/B Tests

Resources:

Self-Guided Trainings

UX Strategy

A UX strategy is the plan and approach for a digital product. UX strategies help businesses translate their intended user experience to every touchpoint where people interact with or experience its products or services.

 Phase 1. Knowledge & Learning

Phase 2. Discover the sector and plan the strategy

Phase 3. Present and refine

Phase 4. Validate and review

 

Toolbox:

  • Stakeholder interviews

  • Prototyping tools

  • User interviews

  • Sector expert interviews

  • Competitive analysis

  • Concept maps

  • Google's HEART framework

 Resources:


Tools of the Trade

Design:

  • Sketch

  • UXPin

  • Adobe XD

  • Axure

Prototype:

  • Balsamiq

  • Figma

  • InVision

  • Storybook

  • Zeplin

Research:

  • Dsout - If you could get Snapchat like responses from research scenarios…You’d get dscout. BUT with incredibly data visualization.

  • User zoom - It’s a great software to do click tests, and general usability testing

  • usertesting.com - Remote usability testing

  • Optimal sort - Card sorting

  • Validately - General research software

UXers' Favorite Websites and Newsletters

Forgetfulness and Your Productivity

I've LOST my keys. —You

How many times do you say this a month? Week? Day?

Take a second to reflect on the patterns associated with the times you have lost your keys. Do friends and family comment on your forgetfulness? Are you noticing your memory slacking lately?

If you're nodding your head with me, I can almost guarantee you are over stimulated, or (barely) functioning with "cognitive overload". You probably have a hundred thoughts spinning through your head, tripping over kids or pets, or both, at your feet, trying to keep track of your bills this month, hitting your year end goals, making notes to schedule appointments to utilize benefits before the new year, and don't get me started with how many notifications are waiting on your smartphone.

I’m raising my hand here with ya. I found myself so overloaded I was distracted and circling the drain. So recently I have been looking into how cognitive science fits into STRESS and PRODUCTIVITY. Who doesn’t want to be more productive. I think we ALL do. Work smarter not harder, right?

There are countless tools and resources to help with being more organized and less forgetful, but from a holistic view, I highly recommend self-awareness and discipline to keep your flow momentum progressing forward. Simple enough, right? I keep my keys in two places, in my purse or on a hook in the kitchen. Having this repetition keeps me on track. If that’s not helping me, it’s time for me to work through what stimuli I have coming at me.

So what do we do? Where do we start? Afterall, we are in this together, right?

Have you thought about you attention as a resource? I hadn’t until I read this article on cognitive science. Mel DeStefano thoroughly describes this incredible study in relation to design. I highly recommend it for it’s rich references. The gist of it is: you have short term and long term memory, but the part where you remember where you put your keys is SHORT term. Research shows we have a limited capacity, duration, and encoding to allow us to function without frying into zombie mush. When you have too much stimuli, your brain starts misfiring and drops random, lesser-important tasks, thoughts, ideas, etc, like where you left your keys.

To prevent this from happening so often, we start by dividing and conquering. Let’s not take everything on at once. First, make a list, preferably written down on a whiteboard, post-it, or note in your phone. Sort your tasks into priority. Time block your tasks through the day and actually schedule time to take a break. It is fundamentally the way your body was created to operate, so take it seriously! Self care doesn’t have to be time consuming or expensive. Here are some quick ideas for you to start trying out, but feel free to get creative.

I also recommend reflecting through your surroundings. Cut some of the noises, or if it’s too quiet, add some white noise in to help create a cocktail party effect (Side note: this is why coffee shops work so well for me to focus on a task). Is the trash stinking up the kitchen, an overbearing candle or flower arrangement pulling at your senses?

Finally, my favorite: BRAIN DUMP. Mentally, check in with yourself. Are you frustrated or lacking confidence? Just get rid of the thoughts burning through your mind. You don’t have to work through these thoughts right now, but write them down so you’re identifying something you do need to address. Make a strategy to address these things and free up the energy that is weighing you down in the moment. Sometimes this means going back and adjusting your task list, or your entire calendar! BUT getting all of this off your shoulders will make your load feel so much lighter.

If that doesn’t help, I sure hope there is a bottle of a decent white chilled in your fridge. OR book a mental health day and take some YOU time for once.

So this is me, HEY FRIEND, checking in on you. How are you? Are you over stimulated? How can we help you get you back on track and out of that burn-out mode?

 

Inclusive Design Principles

Inclusive design has an objective to create a product that meets the needs of users. The key principles of inclusive design should be intentionally utilized through the development of a project. According to The Paciello Group, there are seven principles to inclusive design:

  1. Provide comparable experience - users should be able to interact with product in a manner that allows a task to be completed without diminishing the quality of the content.

  2. Consider situation - the interface should provide a rich experience regardless of the user's circumstance.

  3. Be consistent - usability flow should be intuitive behaviorally throughout the platform.

  4. Give control - the design should allow users to interact with the product as they wish without changing the content.

  5. Offer choice - providing alternative routes to complete a task as articulated by the needs of your users.

  6. Prioritize content - the content and layout should be organized in a way that keeps the user on task.

  7. Add value - the user experience should be efficient and provide diverse interaction with content features.

These principles are best when aligned with understanding of standard usability principles and project focused perspectives used with personas. Those involved in the design process will create a more robust product for all users when keeping these principles in mind.


Resources & Tools:

Graduate Application: Statement of Purpose (2016)

At the age of 21, after truly discovering my passion for design, I applied to the highly selective visual communication program at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.  Thrilled at my acceptance, I continued to work hard and research religiously. As I progressed through the program, I realized the drive behind our field was being applied through each assignment, but the concept of problem solving was consistently overlooked. Though “pretty” projects earned passing grades, the ideology of our field was consistently disregarded. I believe, as a bachelor’s of fine arts, the visual communication program is flawed because the most valuable aspect in the process of design is creating a piece that is more efficient. This frustration has become a source of motivation for me, a reason to continue to pursue a resolution.
 

One unique aspect Ball State offers is the immersive learning experience. Professors write proposals for grants on their choice of a research project and assemble a team of selected students. Dr. Paul Gestwicki, my advisor for an immersive learning project, described it as “A sabbatical with the benefit of choosing students for assistance.” The goal of this immersive learning experience was to create a game for the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, but at first everything else was to be determined by the team he assembled.
 

Gestwicki, a professor in the School of Computer Science, operated the entire semester by the fundamentals of Scrum methodology of agile software development.  Scrum focused on product management for a task of little direction, which benefits from consistently providing feedback for the structure of organization of process as well as productivity on the final goal. Ultimately, our thirteen member team had not one, but roughly a hundred games created, three formal proposals and digital prototypes for games, and one fully generated game consisting of several levels, digitally produced and included playful sound effects. Our final game teaches children the principles of building a valuable collection through the perspective of a museum curator. Our play testers loved it and so did the curators of Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.

Communication between different “languages” of fields is no longer unfamiliar, but growing increasingly comfortable. Beyond a real world simulation of teamwork, the immersive learning experience taught me how to critically analyze a process from an outside perspective.

Helping others in shaping products or services to resolve dysfunction and maximize organization would be my ideal professional future. Branding and digital media are imperative in generating a social presence. However, the fluidity of conceptual inspirations to creation through post-production must be seamless and maximize efficiency. My vision is to network to build a team. This team, forming a studio, would assist companies, organizations, and institutions in streamlining productivity by focusing on design systems. As a visual communicator, it is my goal to assist my client in resolving the unknown complications as well as minimize unforeseen impediments. Focusing on the research process through my graduate study will prepare me to perform at my best in all my future endeavors, but ultimately assist others in becoming more efficient in sustainable social design.