Automation is coming for UX problem solving too
Designers rebranded from "pixel pushers" to "problem solvers". Partially because it makes them feel safer, seeing AI taking more chunks of the pixel/code work.
However, the problem-solving in design will change soon, too. According to studies, all UX usability issues fall into six categories:
Knowability (it isn't clear)
Operability (it doesn't work)
Efficiency (it doesn't supply the right thing on time)
Robustness (it can't handle errors, misuse, abuse, etc.)
Safety (it isn't safe to use)
Satisfaction (it's not fun to use)
Each category of course has a sub-categories, but all are well-documented:
The solutions are already on UX StackExchange and UX Movement.
With a finite number of problems and known solutions, it's likely to be automated. So, not only in tooling but also in problem solving, designers' work will change.
What should we do
The point isn’t that we’re going to run out of problems to solve soon. But that AI will touch not just tools/pixels but also the problem-solving aspect of design work.
However, most of the AI-automation discussion today is around tools and pixel/code tasks automation. It is understandable because this is already happening and not something to will happen in the future.
Another reason is probably what I call Figmaism—a continuous obsession with tooling at the expense of other (and often more important) skills.
What AI is NOT going to solve is working with people: alignment, politics, influence, decision making, agency, etc.
Becoming good at these is still one of the best ways to stay relevant and grow as a designer.
If you’re looking to improve your skills beyond pixels, I wrote six books helping designers grow their careers.