AI errors vs traditional errors

AI systems experience 3 distinct types of issues, each requiring different design responses:

• Errors happen when AI produces unexpected or inaccurate results. Think of a recipe app suggesting desserts when you search for salads. Users can usually work around these with some extra effort. The system works but gives wrong answers.
• Failures are more serious. They occur when AI faces inherent limitations or stalled processes. Imagine a translation app that simply can't process a rare dialect. It's not broken. It's hitting a fundamental boundary. Failures leave users stuck, unable to complete their task through the AI.
• Disruptions derail users entirely. A smart speaker that randomly announces weather updates during your meditation session doesn't just fail at one task. It actively interferes with what you're trying to do. The AI interrupts your primary activity.

Teams must identify which category they're dealing with to respond appropriately.