AI and the Future of UX Research: Impact, Skills, and Careers with Thomas Stokes

In this episode, I’m joined by Thomas Stokes, UX research thought leader and co-founder of Drillbit Labs consultancy.

Together, we explore the state of AI adoption in UX research today—from the hype in job postings to the real, uneven use on teams—and how practitioners and leaders can take a more principled, intentional approach.

We also dig into quantifying UX impact (even when metrics are elusive), evolving career paths in a changing market, and practical, mindset-shifting ways researchers can prepare for an uncertain but opportunity-rich future.

Episode Highlights

• Meta-Research on UX Trends: How Thomas and Drillbit Labs analyze job postings and industry signals to uncover emerging practices and gaps in AI adoption.
• The Paired Framework: Drillbit Labs' principles for AI integration (Principled, Accountable, Initiated, Reviewed, Enabled, Documented) designed to help teams use AI intentionally, ethically, and securely.
• Best Practices for Researchers: Concrete tips like using “articulate antagonist” prompts to avoid sycophantic AI outputs and foster critical thinking.
• Measuring Impact and ROI: How researchers can think about quantifying their influence, even without direct business metrics, and Thomas’s approach to making ROI calculations accessible.
• Future of UX Research Careers: Navigating uncertainty in a changing job market, the possible shift in researcher-to-designer ratios, and the enduring need to understand human interaction with technology.
• Career Development Advice: Thomas’s three-pronged approach to skill-building: Know what interests you, observe what’s in demand, and learn through informal mentorship.

About Thomas Stokes

Thomas is the co-founder of Drillbit Labs, where he and Lawton Pybus help clients make research-led decisions about digital strategy and share their investigations into the UX research field itself, from AI integration trends to advanced methods for demonstrating research impact.

Connect with Thomas Stokes

• LinkedIn: Thomas Stokes
• Newsletter: Depth by Drillbit Labs
• Website: Drillbit Labs

Resources

• How AI is Changing User Research Jobs  
• Use of AI in UX 
• Bad Research Doesn't Stink 
• Research Impact Framework 
• Calculate ROI for UX Research