Study information

Design Methods for Human-Centred AI - 2025 entry

MODULE TITLEDesign Methods for Human-Centred AI CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODECOMM112 MODULE CONVENERDr Huma Samin
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 10
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 40
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content
Learn the skills needed to practice Human-centred design of Artificially Intelligent systems. You will learn how to use computational design thinking to empathise with people, ideate, prototype and evaluate AI systems. You will learn how to abstract AI problems by engaging with people, communities and contexts.  You will apply methods from Human-Computer Interaction to engage with users through participatory design practices. 
 
Having used these methods to abstract Human Centred AI problems, you will learn how to investigate prototype solutions and critically analyse their strengths and weaknesses, both from a computational perspective and a human perspective.
 
You will attend a weekly class in which an expert in Human-centred AI will lead discussion of an aspect of Human Centred AI design and its implications for how relevant Artificial Intelligence technologies are likely to impact people. 

 

AIMS - intentions of the module
This course is a hands-on, practice-oriented approach to learning Human-centred AI (HCAI) design, with a strong emphasis on the evaluation of AI systems from both technical and human perspectives. Methods covered will include design thinking, participatory design, A/B testing, think-aloud protocols, diary studies, eye tracking studies etc. These tools provide students with the skills required to work with people to understand their needs and desires, understand how and why they perform tasks as they do and design AI systems that work with and for them.
The course will provide you with a comprehensive skill set to design AI systems that are not only technically sound but also genuinely beneficial to users and society at large. The blend of theoretical knowledge, practical application, and continuous expert guidance will prepare you to tackle real-world AI challenges in a human-centred way.
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge

1. Explain how human-centred design methods can be used to enhance human interaction with AI.
2. Analyse human requirements for AI-based interactive systems

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge

3. Design AI systems according to human-centred design principles and methods.
4. Comprehension of current human-centred design methods and how to apply them to AI systems.

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge

5. Gather data and evaluate the performance of human-centred AI systems and design proposals.
6. Critically evaluate human-centred design methods and apply them in appropriate contexts.

 

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module
 
- Design thinking
- Participatory design
- Usability testing
- A/B testing
- User modelling
- Evaluation methods (quantitative and qualitative)
- Human-Computer Interaction
 
We will cover the application of these tools to the design of AI systems and examine ways in which these methods are used in a wide range of industries by user experience (UX) designers.
LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 33 Guided Independent Study 117 Placement / Study Abroad
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 33 Workshop sessions
Guided independent study 60 Coursework preparation and completion
Guided independent study 57 Wider reading and self-study

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Practical exercises 10 ALL Answers to exercises and verbal

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 50 Written Exams 50 Practical Exams
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Continuous assessment 50 50 hours ALL Written
Written exam 50 1 hour ALL Oral-on request

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
Continuous assessment Continuous assessment ALL Referral/deferral period
Written exam Written exam ALL Referral/deferral period

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES
RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener
Basic reading:
 
• Cairns, P., & Cox, A. L. (Eds.). (2008). Research methods for human-computer interaction (Vol. 10). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
 
Web-based and electronic resources: 
 
• ELE – Faculty to provide hyperlink to appropriate pages

Reading list for this module:

There are currently no reading list entries found for this module.

CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 7 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Monday 11th November 2024 LAST REVISION DATE Thursday 11th September 2025
KEY WORDS SEARCH user-centred design, decision making, explainability, human-computer interaction, artificial intelligence

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.