In a rush to make everything "AI-first," we’ve abandoned the interface patterns that made software usable. We’ve replaced buttons, menus, and clear affordances with blinking cursors and chat boxes.
Chat-first isn’t automatically better. The chat interface is not the pinnacle of innovation, it’s a massive step backward in functional logic. A glorified command-line interface staring blankly at users doesn’t provide infinite freedom, it places undue cognitive load on users.
Recognition over recall still matters
For years the industry has known to focus on recognition over recall. We know that users should be able to see their options, not be forced to memorize what a system is capable of. Current AI-first interfaces are failing this fundamental rule.
Four failures of chat-first UIs
- High Interaction Cost: Why type "Show me my revenue for Q3" when a single tab could have shown me the same data instantly?
- The Discovery Gap: In a traditional UI, a menu tells you what the app can do. In a chat box, the user has to guess. If they don't know the right prompt, the feature doesn't exist to them.
- Invisible Constraints: Buttons have clear states (active/disabled). Chat boxes don't. Users are left shouting into a void, hoping the model understands the context.
- Exclusionary by Design: Superb language skills and knowledge about how to structure your inputs to game AI give some users an invisible advantage.
Chat's Not All Bad
Chat is great for a lot of reasons, it's just not the only answer to all problems. When does it make sense?
- As a supplement to other interaction models.
- As a tool for exploratory usage of your product (assuming it can actually deliver on open-ended requests!).
- When it there are structured/guided experiences incorporated.
- As a shortcut to other ways to do things in your product.
- As an input mechanism for bulk data and complex interactions.
The takeaway
Technology should make things simpler, not more verbose.
If your AI product requires your user to become a prompt engineer just to use it, you haven't built a product. You’ve built a puzzle.
