How did IBM transform their design practice for AI?
Quick Answer: IBM invented "consistency anchors"—visual elements that remain constant while AI-generated content varies. Their 6-month transformation (Summer 2023–May 2024) established 7 research principles for "designing a language for the unpredictable," resulting in 40% HR productivity improvement and 3x faster design iteration.
Key Characteristics:
- Core challenge: "consistent and predictable" philosophy clashed with AI's inherent variability
- Solution: "Consistency anchors" that remain stable while content varies
- New role created: "AI Experience Designer" with dedicated Design for AI Guild
- Time to prototype reduced from weeks to days
Real Example:
IBM's transformation achieved 40% HR productivity improvement, 60% productivity gain in application modernization, 90%+ automation of contact center cases, and 3x acceleration in design iteration cycles. Daily workflows shifted from static wireframing to conversation flow prototyping.
Last Updated: 2 November 2025