# Beyond Automation: How UI/UX Designers Perceive AI as a Creative Partner in the Divergent Thinking Stages

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2501.18778 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2501.18778/

## Key facts

- Cited by 6 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 30 Jan 2025.

## Built on by (most cited first, 6 of 6)

- [De-skilling, Cognitive Offloading, and Misplaced Responsibilities: Potential Ironies of AI-Assisted Design](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2503.03924/) (2025)
- [PosterCopilot: Toward Layout Reasoning and Controllable Editing for Professional Graphic Design](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2512.04082/) (2025)
- [Vibe Coding in Product Teams: Reconfiguring AI-Assisted Workflows, Prototyping, and Collaboration](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2509.10652/) (2025)
- [Imagining Design Workflows in Agentic AI Futures](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2509.20731/) (2025)
- [1D-Bench: A Benchmark for Iterative UI Code Generation with Visual Feedback in Real-World](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2602.18548/) (2026)
- [Does AI Save Time on Product Design? A Randomized Controlled Experiment of AI Prompt-to-Design Workflows](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2609.26725/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Divergent thinking activities, like research and ideation, are key drivers of innovation in UI/UX design. Existing research has explored AI's role in automating design tasks, but leaves a critical gap in understanding how AI specifically influences divergent thinking. To address this, we conducted interviews with 19 professional UI/UX designers, examining their use and perception of AI in these creative activities. We found that in this context, participants valued AI tools that offer greater control over ideation, facilitate collaboration, enhance efficiency to liberate creativity, and align with their visual habits. Our results indicated four key roles AI plays in supporting divergent thinking: aiding research, kick-starting creativity, generating design alternatives, and facilitating prototype exploration. Through this study, we provide insights into the evolving role of AI in the less-investigated area of divergent thinking in UI/UX design, offering recommendations for future AI tools that better support design innovation.