Reduce 60% workload for low-tech educators with an AI teaching assistant

OVERVIEW

In summer 2024, I interned as a product designer at Radical AI - an open source artificial intelligence (AI) lab that develops co-pilots to boost productivity in various office settings. Within three months, I worked with a product manager and different designers sub-divisions to create some core features for Kai AI teaching assistant. This case study features my squad's most endorsed work — an error warning system for Kai's MVP — to enhance user trust and collaboration efficiency.

PROJECT TYPE
AI-integrated Design
ROLES
User research, Wireframe, Prototype, Usability testing, Stakeholder Presentation
STATUS

Shipped

PROBLEM SPACE

AI as trust-worthy workplace assistants

AI agents are suppose to help. The survey released by Canva to mark Teacher Appreciation Week, which runs May 6-10, found that 35% of K-12 teachers in the U.S. experience feelings of burnout daily or most days, while 83% experience it at least some days. Burnout is also causing teachers to consider career changes, with 57% saying they've considered quitting or switching schools and 64% having considered leaving the teaching profession.

OUR CHALLENGE

Design a user-informed error warning system

AI agents are suppose to help. The survey released by Canva to mark Teacher Appreciation Week, which runs May 6-10, found that 35% of K-12 teachers in the U.S. experience feelings of burnout daily or most days, while 83% experience it at least some days. Burnout is also causing teachers to consider career changes, with 57% saying they've considered quitting or switching schools and 64% having considered leaving the teaching profession.

Over half, 55%, of teachers reported missing school days while 53% felt overwhelmed and 45% said burnout has made them less patient with students.AI tools have emerged as a new way for teachers to handle daily tasks more efficiently and ease burnout. The survey found that 42% of teachers have already used AI in the classroom, a push led by the 49% of millennial and Gen Z educators who've used it.

GETTING STARTED

We set up a roadmap to define team success...

[illustration]

... and brainstorm many possibilities

RESEARCH PROCESS

Weekly milestones and regular feedbacks

MEET OUR TARGETED USER

The embodiment of a great deal of AI concerns from people

A WEEK OF RESEARCH LATER...

We use affinity mapping to narrow down to two primary user flows

Over half, 55%, of teachers reported missing school days while 53% felt overwhelmed and 45% said burnout has made them less patient with students. AI tools have emerged as a new way for teachers to handle daily tasks more efficiently and ease burnout. The survey found that 42% of teachers have already used AI in the classroom, a push led by the 49% of millennial and Gen Z educators who've used it.

Design trust with personified UX writing

As of now, I don't know what to say, but we got this. AI tools have emerged as a new way for teachers to handle daily tasks more efficiently and ease burnout. The survey found that 42% of teachers have already used AI in the classroom, a push led by the 49% of millennial and Gen Z educators who've used it.

Prepare early for A/B and usability testing

The survey found that 42% of teachers have already used AI in the classroom, a push led by the 49% of millennial and Gen Z educators who've used it. Let's think about this logically. We need to this with picture.

[Maze illustration, A/B testing data]

IDEATION

Sketches and wireframe

Let's think about this logically. We need to this with picture

Feedback round 1

Let's think about this logically. We need to this with picture

Our response

Let's think about this logically. We need to this with picture

MID-FI PROTOTYPE

Focus on the product's impact (e.g., improved onboarding experience).

Feedback round 2

Let's think about this logically. We need to this with picture

Our response

Let's think about this logically. We need to this with picture

HI-FI PROTOTYPE

Focus on the product's impact (e.g., improved onboarding experience).

Feedback round 3

Let's think about this logically. We need to this with picture

Our response

Let's think about this logically. We need to this with picture

6 USABILITY TESTS LATER

Focus on the product's impact (e.g., improved onboarding experience).

DESIGN HAND-OFF

We deliver an onboarding flow, a cake, and some love...

Flow walkthrough with annotation

fdf

Hi there, I didn't know this was possible

... and told our success story to 300+ members across different divisions

REFLECTION

What I learned from the internship
💡Lessons about AI-for-good design
  • The Product manager keeps everything in check and help the entire team stay sane
  • Schedule user interviews before I am ready
  • Flow matters, especially focused flows
💡Lessons about collaboration and leadership
  • Design system compliance
  • A/B testing before Usability testing
  • Tell a story with your presentation (Yutong Xue xiexie ni!!)
  • Design process is different for unique projects
💡Side achievements
  • Announcement, meeting minute management
  • Ensure we're on the same page
  • ....

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