UX Camp Winter 2026
Design Leadership in the Age of AI: Leading with Clarity, Courage, and Chaos-Taming
Design leaders are no longer just managing projects, they’re shaping how organizations innovate in an era defined by AI, rapid change, and constant ambiguity. Yet too often, design leadership is treated as reactive: hiring more researchers, scaling processes, or “fixing the cobbler’s children.” The result? Overstretched teams, unclear priorities, and missed opportunities for impact.
In this talk, I’ll share how design leaders can move from managing work to leading transformation. Drawing from my experience leading UX research in AI-driven environments, I’ll explore how to:
- Build “skunk works” spaces that unlock innovation without overwhelming the team.
- Balance operational discipline with bold vision so design is seen as essential, not optional.
- Lead with clarity in ambiguous environments where both business and user needs evolve daily.
You’ll leave with practical frameworks and stories—sometimes funny, sometimes painfully real—that show how design leaders can tame the chaos, build credibility, and create futures their teams (and organizations) are proud of.
