ai-interaction-patterns

name	ai-interaction-patterns
description	AI UX patterns. Use for prompt UX, wayfinding, HITL, trust, disclosure, AI identity, memory UX, generative UI.

AI Interaction Patterns

AI-specific UX patterns for designing interfaces where users interact with AI models. Covers the full interaction lifecycle: from first prompt to output verification, memory persistence, and trust building.

Source: Based on Shape of AI pattern library (CC-BY-NC-SA) by Emily Campbell.

When to Use

Use these patterns when asking about AI UX, AI interaction, prompt UX, AI trust, AI disclosure, AI avatar, AI personality, AI memory UX, action plan UX, stream of thought, AI citations, AI controls, AI wayfinding, AI suggestions, gallery pattern, follow-up pattern, draft mode, AI variations, AI consent, AI caveat, human-in-the-loop, AI transparency, AI state, prompt design, AI onboarding, or generative UI.

How This Differs from Other UI/UX Skills

Skill	Focus
23-uiux-design-principles	Layout, hierarchy, responsive design (framework-agnostic)
21-enterprise-ai-ux	Enterprise context: challenge taxonomy, professional palettes, RBAC
22-conversation-ux	Thread management, branching data model, context switching
20-interactive-widgets	Widget protocols, rendering pipeline, state management
25-ai-interaction-patterns (this)	AI-SPECIFIC interaction logic: how users prompt, control, trust, and relate to AI

Reference Documentation

• ai-interaction-patterns - Full reference for all 60+ patterns

Quick Pattern Selection

By User Problem

User Says/Feels	Apply Pattern
"I don't know what to ask"	Gallery, Suggestions, Templates
"AI didn't understand me"	Follow-ups, Nudges, Prompt Enhancer
"I want alternatives"	Variations, Branches, Randomize
"Is this accurate?"	Citations, References, Caveat
"This is taking too long"	Draft Mode, Controls, Cost Estimates
"I need AI to do something complex"	Action Plan, Stream of Thought
"Is this AI or human?"	Disclosure, Avatar, Name
"Don't store my data"	Incognito Mode, Consent, Data Ownership
"AI forgot what I said"	Memory (scoped/global/ephemeral)

By AI Product Type

Product Type	Essential Patterns	Nice-to-Have
Chat assistant	Open Input, Suggestions, Follow-ups, Memory, Disclosure	Gallery, Voice & Tone, Branches
Code copilot	Inline Action, Stream of Thought, Controls, Citations	Action Plan, Draft Mode
Image generator	Gallery, Parameters, Variations, Inpainting, Preset Styles	Draft Mode, Randomize
Document AI	Attachments, Citations, Caveat, Disclosure, Summary	Transform, Expand, Follow-ups
AI agent	Action Plan, Controls, Verification, Stream of Thought, Cost Estimates	Memory, Consent
Voice assistant	Voice Avatar, Personality, Controls, Disclosure	Memory, Consent
Enterprise analytics	Citations, Connectors, Filters, Modes, Disclosure	Action Plan, Memory

Trust Level Decision

High-stakes domain (healthcare, finance, legal)?
  YES -> CRITICAL: Citations + Verification + Disclosure + Caveat + Audit
  NO  -> AI output mixed with human content?
    YES -> HIGH: Disclosure + Citations + Caveat
    NO  -> Could AI output cause harm if wrong?
      YES -> MEDIUM: Caveat + Citations (optional)
      NO  -> LOW: Minimal caveat, focus on UX quality

The Six Pattern Categories

1. Wayfinders — Help users construct their first prompt

Gallery, Suggestions, Templates, Follow-ups, Initial CTA, Nudges, Prompt Details, Randomize

2. Prompt Actions — Actions users direct AI to complete

Open Input, Inline Action, Chained Action, Regenerate, Transform, Restyle, Expand, Summary, Synthesis, Describe, Auto-fill, Restructure, Madlibs, Inpainting

3. Tuners — Adjust context and settings to refine prompts

Attachments, Connectors, Parameters, Model Management, Modes, Filters, Prompt Enhancer, Preset Styles, Saved Styles, Voice and Tone

4. Governors — Human-in-the-loop oversight and agency

Action Plan, Stream of Thought, Controls, Draft Mode, Branches, Variations, Citations, References, Verification, Memory, Cost Estimates, Sample Response, Shared Vision

5. Trust Builders — Confidence in AI ethics and accuracy

Disclosure, Caveat, Consent, Data Ownership, Watermark, Footprints, Incognito Mode

6. Identifiers — Distinct AI qualities at brand/model level

Avatar, Personality, Name, Color, Iconography

CRITICAL Gotchas

Rule	Why
NEVER use photorealistic avatars unless AI matches that capability	Sets unrealistic expectations, erodes trust
ALWAYS show Stream of Thought for tasks > 5 seconds	Users abandon when they can't see progress
NEVER let Memory be a black box	Users must see, edit, and delete what AI remembers
ALWAYS offer Controls (at minimum: stop) during generation	Users need escape hatches
NEVER rely solely on Caveats for safety	Caveat blindness is real; design the system to be safe
ALWAYS distinguish AI content from human content in blended UIs	Users may unknowingly present AI work as their own
NEVER overwrite user work without Verification	Accidental overwrites destroy trust instantly

Related Skills

• 21-enterprise-ai-ux - Enterprise-specific AI design
• 22-conversation-ux - Thread management and conversation data models
• 23-uiux-design-principles - General design principles
• 20-interactive-widgets - Widget rendering and state management

Support

• uiux-designer - AI-specific interaction pattern selection and design
• kaizen-specialist - AI agent capabilities informing UX decisions
• react-specialist - Implementation of AI interaction patterns