Designing for Agentic AI: Rethinking UX in an autonomous world
Abstract
As AI systems grow more autonomous, designers face a new reality: we’re not just shaping interactions, we’re shaping decision-making. In this talk, Zaianne Sparrow explores the rise of agentic AI, tools that act on our behalf, and what this shift means for UX. Grounded in her experience designing AI-powered systems and her essays on emotionally intelligent design, she examines where traditional UX patterns fall short and what new approaches are needed to build trust, alignment, and responsiveness. From scaffolding user expectations to designing for emotional nuance, Zaianne shares key principles and frameworks for navigating this evolving space. Whether you’re already working with AI or just beginning to explore its possibilities, this session offers a clear, human-centered lens on designing for autonomy, and the role UX plays in shaping the future of intelligent systems.
About
Zaianne Sparrow | Senior Product Designer and UX Strategist
Zaianne Sparrow is a senior product designer and UX strategist with over 15 years of experience shaping intelligent, emotionally aware experiences across AI, productivity, health tech, and consumer products. She has led end-to-end design for both global brands and early-stage startups, most notably reimagining the Samsung S Pen as a multimodal AI tool and guiding MVPs from concept to launch. Her work blends systems thinking with storytelling, grounded in a strong belief that good design should simplify complexity and center human connection.
Zaianne is passionate about designing trust into AI experiences and exploring how emerging technologies reshape the way we communicate, create, and collaborate. She is also an active mentor and community builder, serving Chapter Lead of Ladies That UX San Francisco and supporting initiatives that elevate women in tech. A graduate of NYU, Zaianne writes frequently on design, AI, and innovation. Outside of work, she’s a history enthusiast, concertgoer, and lifelong learner.
