Issue 131  November 7th 2025

AI is everywhere.
But humans? Still undefeated.
Here’s why:

→ Empathy? Untouchable. AI can crunch data. Only people can read a room, feel the vibe, and know when to say, “You okay?”

→ Presence? Real. You can’t automate a handshake, a smile, or the magic of being in the moment. That’s all us.

→ Opinion? Unfiltered. AI gives you options. Humans give you judgment, taste, and the courage to say, “Nope, that’s not it.”

→ Creativity? Wild. AI can remix. Humans invent. We break the rules, color outside the lines, and dream up the next big thing.

→ Hope? Unbreakable. AI predicts. Humans believe. We see what’s possible, even when the odds say no.

MIT Sloan calls this the EPOCH framework.
Empathy. Presence. Opinion. Creativity. Hope.
The future-proof skills that keep us irreplaceable.

The fastest-growing jobs?
They’re not about code.
They’re about people.

→ Empathy, judgment, leadership, creativity.
That’s the new gold.

And if you’re a designer?
You’re already ahead.

Designerly skills are the cheat code.
You see the world through human eyes.
You build for people, not just pixels.

But let’s get real.
AI is not the enemy.
It’s the sidekick.

The best work happens when humans and machines team up.
AI handles the grunt work.
You bring the spark.

Want to stay ahead?
Double down on what makes you human. Being Designerly 131 has curated content to help:

→ Learn how AI works.
Understand how people think about it.
NNG has the guides.
Get smarter, faster.

→ Demand transparency.
The BBC is showing the way.
AI labels should be clear, honest, and human-centered.
No black boxes. No BS.

→ Nail your visual game.
PepsiCo just rebranded after 25 years.
The new look? Meh.
Proof that logos need more than AI-generated shapes.
They need soul.

→ Experiment, but don’t settle.
Coca-Cola’s AI holiday ad?
A glitchy mess.
Innovation is great, but don’t forget the basics: clarity, story, and craft.

→ Master conversational AI.
It’s changing how we shop, search, and connect.
Design for real people.
Make it easy, visual, and accessible.

And don’t forget:
World Usability Day is coming.
Emerging tech is cool.
But the human experience is everything.

AI is the tool.
You are the difference.

Keep building.
Keep caring.
Stay irreplaceable.