Visualizing Ideas + Finding Efficiency

With all of the different AI tools out there, it can be time-consuming to figure out what might be helpful in your day-to-day work. That doesn’t even include the time it takes to try the tools out and learn how to use them more effectively.

I’ve been having some discussions with our team and on the podcast about some of the positive impacts AI has made, and some of the potential pitfalls to be aware of. Hopefully, these ideas will help you sort through some of the noise.

AI in Software Development

In a recent podcast episode with our COO Justin Bantuelle , we discussed how AI can be used in coding and software development. He explained that some developers find it helpful as a starting point, but that it’s definitely not a replacement for development skills and experience:

“The less experience you have, the more likely you are to really struggle to frame up good prompts and the more you’re gonna end up getting lost in the weeds.”

AI can help you develop something, but it may not be exactly what you wanted if you don’t have the experience to be really detailed in your prompts. Also, Justin shared that AI typically lacks the nuance to point out potential security issues, which may be risky in a highly regulated industry like medtech.

Another developer on our team, Rhema K Marneni , cautions using AI when sensitive data may be involved:

“Even though they sound promising and people have been using or it was published by a very well-known company, they can still be unsafe, especially when you're dealing with sensitive data like in healthcare where security is super important.”

Justin emphasizes that it’s all about how effectively you use AI, and to proceed with a critical eye when it is utilized.

AI in Design

I recently got the chance to sit down with two of our design team members to chat about AI tools in design.

One designer, Nathan Fellows , said that he finds AI tools work best in focused applications, saying: 

“I think AI tools are most helpful in a specific application. Being able to really focus in rather than just using it as kind of this wholesale approach, being able to specifically use it in various tools that allow you to focus on one area of a piece or a product rather than just whole generative stuff.”

Victoria Fraley-Hogg , another designer, expressed concern that the prevalence of design tools has led some to devalue design as a skill. She said a potential pitfall is the lack of intention in what AI tools design:

“AI doesn't think, it just generates. Whereas someone who is physically working on it, they're thinking, ‘What's the best place to put this, and what might I be able to take out, and how can I position this to make it look good?’”

That said, these discussions also identified an area where AI can be really helpful: understanding what a client wants in the form of mockups.

AI for Mockups

When you’re in the beginning stages of a project, whether it’s graphic design or custom software, you’ll discuss what you want the end result to look like. As a non-designer, sometimes it’s difficult to visualize a concept or explain what I’m looking for with words alone. AI can be really helpful on this front.

Tori said: 

“For me, it's useful because it shows me what you're looking for instead of me just trying to do something and you saying ‘This isn't what I'm looking for.’ So, for me, it's helpful and I use it as a starting point. Let's see what we can build from here.”

Justin echoed the sentiment, saying that AI-generated mockups are helpful in software development, too:

“Once you produce something visual, there's something a little more concrete at that point that forces both of our understandings into a closer alignment. I think that's why we do mockups, prototyping. That's the purpose of those things, to ensure that we're on the same page and that we've thought through all of the considerations. I think there's nothing but benefit to that.”

If you find yourself in a position where developers or designers don’t quite understand what you’re looking for, AI mockups might be the key to articulating your thoughts.

AI in Disease Detection

More and more, medical devices and software are finding ways to incorporate AI in ways that can really make a difference in disease detection. One of those companies is Altoida, whose NeuroMarker platform uses AI to detect early cognitive decline, empowering healthcare providers to intervene sooner when treatment is most effective.

We recently got the chance to have Altoida’s CEO, Marc Jones , on the podcast to talk about their technology. I highly encourage you to check out this episode if you’re interested in learning more.

What AI benefits and pitfalls are you seeing?

Have you found any helpful tools or prompts? Have you run into any issues?

Thank you to Ashley Hohensee for pulling snippets from all of these interviews into something coherent!