Incorporating Unanticipated Uses of Generative AI into HCI Education

The list of generative AI tools is ever-expanding, as is the hype around such systems. Many such tools are oriented towards augmenting or complementing the existing work of designers. Tools such as Midjourney and others provide features that easily fit into the long-standing processes, research, and creative work currently done by interface designers. For example, generative AI tools may speed the process of developing and iterating on interface prototypes. However, as happens with all technologies when acquiring broader use, these systems are being creatively repurposed. Of interest to the EduCHI community are those unanticipated uses that serve to contribute to user experience design and research in novel, unexpected ways. This position paper provides an overview of existing generative AI tools, their intended purpose, and their unanticipated uses within the design and research process, as evidenced by a brief review of related literature and selected classroom examples. This position paper aims to pose questions relevant to CHI educators, namely how can these possibilities be woven into existing courses? How might our students contribute to these creative approaches and at what level of maturity shall these tools and techniques be presented alongside more traditional methods? Lastly, we raise ethical questions about the use of these tools and highlight the challenges of using them in the context of design.