The AI-DEC: A Card-based Design Method for User-centered AI Explanations
Published in DIS 24: Proceedings of the 2024 ACM Conference on Designing Interactive Systems, 2024
Recommended citation: Christine P. Lee, Min Kyung Lee*, and Bilge Mutlu*. 2024. The AI-DEC: A Card-based Design Method for User-centered AI Explanations. To appear in proceedings of the 2024 ACM Conference on Designing Interactive Systems (DIS 24).
Abstract: Increasing evidence suggests that many deployed AI systems do not sufficiently support end-user interaction and information needs. Engaging end-users in the design of these systems can reveal user needs and expectations, yet effective ways of engaging end-users in the AI explanation design remain under-explored. To address this gap, we developed a design method, called AI-DEC, that defines four dimensions of AI explanations that are critical for the integration of AI systems—communication content, modality, frequency, and direction—and offers design examples for end-users to design AI explanations that meet their needs. We evaluated this method through co-design sessions with workers in healthcare, finance, and management industries who regularly use AI systems in their daily work. Findings indicate that the AI-DEC effectively supported workers in designing explanations that accommodated diverse levels of performance and autonomy needs, which varied depending on the AI system’s workplace role and worker values. We discuss the implications of using the AI-DEC for the user-centered design of AI explanations in real-world systems.