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The UIs ChatGPT won't replace

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Summary

This article examines why chat-based user interfaces (UIs) won't dominate the future of computing. It looks at tasks such as operating on items in a list, tasks performed via spatial metaphors, mutations with invariants, complex mutations, low-intent product exploration, and high-frequency tasks, and explains why a traditional UI is often more effective and intuitive than a chatbot. Despite advances in AI and language models, traditional UIs will remain the most effective way to interact with computers due to our deep-rooted preference for spatial and kinetic inputs.

Q&As

What percentage of traditional user interfaces will be replaced by chat-based experiences?
The percentage of traditional user interfaces that will be replaced by chat-based experiences is low.

How does sci-fi help guide intuition about the future of chat-based UIs?
Sci-fi helps guide intuition about the future of chat-based UIs by showing that traditional UIs are still valuable and will not be replaced.

How can traditional UIs be beneficial when performing tasks on lists?
Traditional UIs can be beneficial when performing tasks on lists by allowing users to click through and modify the actual quantities.

What tasks are better performed with spatial metaphors?
Tasks that are better performed with spatial metaphors include archiving emails, manipulating events in a calendar, and swiping away emails.

How can a GUI communicate what's possible and helpfully constrain user inputs?
A GUI can communicate what's possible and helpfully constrain user inputs by providing a spatial metaphor that makes it natural to manipulate an event, showing where there is "room" in a schedule, and proactively communicating its invariants.

AI Comments

👍 This article is a great example of how deep thought and analysis can be put into a topic that often gets overlooked in favor of the newest trends. It makes a great argument for why chat-based UIs won't dominate the future, backed up by solid reasoning and examples.

👎 This article is overly long and could have been condensed considerably. It also relies heavily on examples from sci-fi which could have been replaced with more relevant examples from modern technology.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about how chat-based UIs won't replace traditional user interfaces. The article argues that people are more comfortable and intuitive with spatial metaphors and that chat-based UIs won't be able to keep up with the complexity and speed of traditional user interfaces.

Friend: That makes sense. I think people prefer to interact with a GUI because it's easier to understand and follow. It's also quicker to interact with a graphical user interface than it is to type out commands or explain something out loud.

Me: Exactly. The article also mentions that certain activities like archiving emails, manipulating items in a list, and performing complex mutations are all better suited to a graphical user interface.

Friend: Yeah, it's definitely easier to drag and drop an email into an archive folder than it is to type out a command. And if you need to perform a complex mutation, it's better to use a GUI to see all the options available.

Me: Right. So this article has some interesting implications. It suggests that chat-based UIs are not going to be the future of user interfaces, at least not anytime soon. Traditional graphical user interfaces are still going to be the dominant form of user interface for the foreseeable future.

Action items

Research existing software and applications to identify which tasks are best suited for a chat-based UI and which are better suited for a traditional GUI.
Experiment with different chat-based UIs to determine which tasks are best suited for them.
Create a list of tasks that are best suited for a traditional GUI and use this list to inform the design of future chat-based UIs.

Technical terms

UI: User Interface
AI: Artificial Intelligence
LLM: Language Model
GPT-X: Generative Pre-trained Transformer
GCal: Google Calendar
Cmd+C: Keyboard shortcut for copy command
Command K: Keyboard shortcut for a specific command
Command Bar: Tool for quickly accessing commands
Tinder: Dating app