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.

Overview

This skill provides:

• 60+ AI interaction patterns across 6 categories
• Pattern selection decision framework
• Trust-level assessment for AI interfaces
• Wayfinding strategies for AI onboarding
• Human-in-the-loop governance patterns
• AI identity and personality design guidance
• Memory and context persistence patterns
• Anti-patterns to avoid in AI UX

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

Complete Pattern Catalog

• ai-interaction-patterns - Full reference for all 60+ patterns
  • Wayfinders (8 patterns)
  • Prompt Actions (14 patterns)
  • Tuners (10 patterns)
  • Governors (13 patterns)
  • Trust Builders (7 patterns)
  • Identifiers (5 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 (agentic) | 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

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

The Six Pattern Categories

1. Wayfinders

Help users construct their first prompt and get started.

| Pattern | Purpose | When to Use | | -------------- | ----------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- | | Gallery | Showcase what's possible | Onboarding, inspiration, capability discovery | | Suggestions | Context-aware prompt starters | Cold start, idle moments, mode changes | | Templates | Structured prompt scaffolds | Recurring tasks, complex prompts | | Follow-ups | Conversation continuations | After every AI response | | Initial CTA | First-interaction entry point | Landing pages, empty states | | Nudges | Proactive guidance | When user prompt could be improved | | Prompt Details | Expose generation parameters | Educational, reverse-engineering | | Randomize | Serendipity exploration | Creative tools, discovery |

2. Prompt Actions

Different actions users can direct AI to complete.

| Pattern | Purpose | When to Use | | -------------- | -------------------------------- | ----------------------------------- | | Open Input | Natural language dialogue | Universal starting point | | Inline Action | Edit within existing content | Document editors, code tools | | Chained Action | Multi-step sequential tasks | Complex workflows | | Regenerate | Re-run with modifications | When output needs improvement | | Transform | Change content format/structure | Data processing, content adaptation | | Restyle | Change visual/tonal style | Creative tools, voice adjustment | | Expand | Elaborate on content | Drafting, content generation | | Summary | Condense content | Reading, research, analysis | | Synthesis | Combine multiple sources | Research, report generation | | Describe | Generate from visual/audio input | Multi-modal tools | | Auto-fill | AI-populated form fields | Data entry, profile completion | | Restructure | Reorganize content structure | Documents, presentations | | Madlibs | Guided prompt construction | Onboarding, structured tasks | | Inpainting | Region-based selective editing | Image/video editing |

3. Tuners

Adjust contextual data and settings to refine the prompt.

| Pattern | Purpose | When to Use | | ---------------- | ------------------------------ | --------------------------------- | | Attachments | Upload files as context | Document analysis, RAG | | Connectors | Link external data sources | Enterprise integration | | Parameters | Fine-tune generation settings | Advanced users, precision tasks | | Model Management | Select/switch AI models | Multi-model products | | Modes | Switch AI behavior profiles | Multi-purpose tools | | Filters | Narrow input/output scope | Search, data analysis | | Prompt Enhancer | Auto-improve user prompts | Novice users, quality improvement | | Preset Styles | Pre-configured parameter sets | Quick style selection | | Saved Styles | User-created parameter presets | Returning users, consistency | | Voice and Tone | Configure AI personality | Customization, brand alignment |

4. Governors

Human-in-the-loop features for oversight and agency.

| Pattern | Purpose | When to Use | | ----------------- | ---------------------------------------- | ------------------------ | | Action Plan | Preview steps before execution | Complex/expensive tasks | | Stream of Thought | Show AI reasoning in real-time | Transparency, debugging | | Controls | Stop, pause, resume, queue | During generation | | Draft Mode | Low-fidelity preview first | Expensive generation | | Branches | Divergent exploration paths | Creative exploration | | Variations | Multiple outputs for comparison | Selection, quality | | Citations | Source attribution | Factual claims, research | | References | Link to supporting materials | Evidence, verification | | Verification | Confirmation before irreversible actions | Destructive operations | | Memory | Cross-session context persistence | Personalization | | Cost Estimates | Resource usage transparency | Paid/metered services | | Sample Response | Quick preview before full gen | Expensive operations | | Shared Vision | Align user-AI understanding | Complex instructions |

5. Trust Builders

Build confidence in AI ethics, accuracy, and trustworthiness.

| Pattern | Purpose | When to Use | | -------------- | -------------------------------- | ----------------------------- | | Disclosure | Label AI content as AI-generated | Blended content, agents | | Caveat | Warn about AI limitations | All AI outputs | | Consent | Obtain permission for data use | Recording, training, sharing | | Data Ownership | Clarify data storage/usage | Enterprise, privacy-sensitive | | Watermark | Mark AI-generated media | Images, audio, video | | Footprints | Attribute aggregated sources | Synthesized content | | Incognito Mode | Non-persistent sessions | Sensitive topics, privacy |

6. Identifiers

Distinct qualities of AI that can be modified at brand/model level.

| Pattern | Purpose | When to Use | | ----------- | --------------------------- | ------------------------- | | Avatar | Visual AI representation | Chat, voice, multi-agent | | Personality | Tone, warmth, authority | All AI interactions | | Name | AI naming strategy | Branding, trust-setting | | Color | Brand and state signaling | UI theming, state changes | | Iconography | AI-specific visual language | Throughout UI |

CRITICAL Gotchas

| Rule | Why | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | NEVER use photorealistic avatars unless the AI truly matches that capability | Sets unrealistic expectations, erodes trust when capabilities fall short | | ALWAYS show Stream of Thought for tasks > 5 seconds | Users abandon or re-submit 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 for wrong-direction outputs | | NEVER rely solely on Caveats for safety | Caveat blindness is real; design the system to be safe, then add caveats | | 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 | | ALWAYS pair Suggestions with the ability to edit before sending | Users need to refine, not just accept blindly |

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

• Designing any AI-powered user interface
• Choosing interaction patterns for AI products
• Evaluating AI UX for trust and transparency
• Building prompt input experiences
• Implementing human-in-the-loop workflows
• Designing AI identity (avatar, name, personality)
• Planning AI memory and context management UX
• Auditing AI interfaces for anti-patterns

Related Skills

• 21-enterprise-ai-ux - Enterprise-specific AI design (RBAC, compliance, professional palettes)
• 22-conversation-ux - Thread management and conversation data models
• 23-uiux-design-principles - General design principles (layout, hierarchy)
• 20-interactive-widgets - Widget rendering and state management

Support

For AI interaction design questions, invoke:

• ai-ux-designer - AI-specific interaction pattern selection and design
• uiux-designer - General layout, hierarchy, and visual design
• kaizen-specialist - AI agent capabilities informing UX decisions
• frontend-developer - Implementation of AI interaction patterns