# Project Plan

> The project is structured in two successive phases. First, it observes how GenAI is changing mental models, expectations, and needs; then it translates those insights into practical guidance for people designing digital products.

![3D render of two glass chambers joined by a conduit, with luminous mist and polished spheres](https://www.shaped-by-ai.com/img/covers/project-plan_hu_35dc95a39d50fba2.jpg)

![Double diamond schema of the two project phases](https://www.shaped-by-ai.com/img/proj-double-diamond-eng.png)

### Phase 1: Observing the phenomenon
**Goal:** Gain a scientifically grounded view of observable changes in people's behaviour, expectations, needs and interactions with digital products and services as they adopt GenAI.

The object of observation is what happens to people and to their interactions. Downstream effects on brands, visibility, content distribution, measurement and organisational responsibility are not observed user phenomena. They are analysed as implications and consequences, then translated into decisions and roles.

**Approach:** Hybrid methodology integrating three perspectives:

#### Psychological-cognitive analysis
Study of evolving user expectations and emerging mental models through scientific literature analysis (neuroscience, cognitive psychology)

#### UX-driven analysis
Critical deconstruction of cognitive pillars underlying Information Architecture and UX Design heuristics, to verify how GenAI adoption influences their foundations

#### Integrative qualitative research
Collection of structured anecdotes from expert UX Researchers and analysis of documented case studies to validate theoretical insights with empirical evidence

**Method:**
- Collaborative collection of bibliographic sources and case studies
- Critical analysis, collaborative discussion, and insight synthesis

### Phase 2: Impact on UX Design
**Goal:** Translate theoretical insights from Phase 1 into practical design guidelines, understanding how User Centered Design assumptions must evolve.

**Approach:** Multidisciplinary collective discussion of the insights that emerge, combined with contributions gathered through roundtables and collaborative brainstorming.

## Project guiding principles

When analyzing and proposing design evolutions, the project commits to keeping central the **foundational principles of good design**:

- **User-centeredness**: Do not chase technological trends, but respond to real user needs
- **Accessibility**: Ensure evolutions don't exclude user segments
- **Inclusivity**: Consider generational, cultural, and digital literacy diversity
- **Social and environmental responsibility**: Evaluate the ethical and environmental implications of new practices

## In this section

- [Participate](https://www.shaped-by-ai.com/en/project/participate/)