Identifying customization opportunities
Different AI systems need different levels of user control. For recommendation systems, users rarely want to adjust the algorithm directly. Instead, they want ways to give feedback or fix mistakes. For creative AI tools like image or text generators, users often need more direct control to get exactly what they want. The right amount of control also depends on who is using the system and how important the task is. Beginners or people doing simple tasks usually prefer fewer controls with good default settings. Experts or people making important decisions often need more detailed controls.
For example, a doctor using an AI tool to help diagnose patients would want to see confidence levels and adjust settings. A person using an app to enhance photos might prefer simple preset options. When deciding where to add controls, look for situations where people's goals might vary significantly, where mistakes could have serious consequences, or where personal preference strongly affects whether the result is good. Remember that each control makes the interface more complex, so only add controls that truly help users.
Pro Tip: Map the user journey to find moments where people's goals differ from each other. These are good places to add customization options.
