Towards a Working Definition of Designing Generative User Interfaces

TL;DR

This paper defines Generative UI as an iterative, co-creative process involving AI, providing a foundational understanding to guide future research and practical design in human-computer interaction.

Contribution

It establishes a comprehensive working definition of Generative UI through qualitative methods, integrating literature review, expert insights, and case studies.

Findings

Identifies five core themes of Generative UI

Highlights emerging design models like hybrid creation and AI-assisted refinement

Discusses ethical challenges and evaluation criteria

Abstract

Generative UI is transforming interface design by facilitating AI-driven collaborative workflows between designers and computational systems. This study establishes a working definition of Generative UI through a multi-method qualitative approach, integrating insights from a systematic literature review of 127 publications, expert interviews with 18 participants, and analyses of 12 case studies. Our findings identify five core themes that position Generative UI as an iterative and co-creative process. We highlight emerging design models, including hybrid creation, curation-based workflows, and AI-assisted refinement strategies. Additionally, we examine ethical challenges, evaluation criteria, and interaction models that shape the field. By proposing a conceptual foundation, this study advances both theoretical discourse and practical implementation, guiding future HCI research toward responsible and effective generative UI design practices.