Jorge Arango

AI Starting Points Opinionated suggestions for UX researchers getting started with AI in early 2026.

Opinionated suggestions for UX researchers getting started with AI in early 2026.

Traction Heroes Ep. 28: Going Meta Why does your business exist? The answer will determine how it plays out in the long term.

Why does your business exist? The answer will determine how it plays out in the long term.

I felt the same way at first. “Oh, this isn’t as bad as people are saying.” I’ve grown to dislike it on all platforms (but especially on macOS, where I’ve had several “what were they thinking?” moments.)

Big UI changes feel weird at first, but eventually, we get used to the new way. The opposite is happening with Liquid Glass. It’s been a couple of months, and I dislike the new direction more every day. Far from letting the content shine, it constantly calls attention to itself. Such a misfire!

Dabble No More: Toward Disciplined AI Adoption Experimenting with AI is a starting point. But creating real value requires direction and discipline.

Experimenting with AI is a starting point. But creating real value requires direction and discipline.

Traction Heroes Ep. 27: Eliciting Information A conversation about obtaining information from unhelpful interlocutors.

A conversation about obtaining information from unhelpful interlocutors.

Sad to learn of Bob Weir’s passing. Like many in my generation, I came to the Dead through “Touch of Grey” and only ventured further long after they were done. But I return to the band often — and Weir’s contributions are a big part of it. RIP.

How to Get Out of Ontological Debt Inconsistent product terminology leads to “ontological debt,” negatively affecting UX — but you can pay it down.

Our product semantics grow with new terminology, risking confusion and Jorge calls this "ontological debt." It's a strategic UX priority to manage this, as explained by Jorge Arango: https://jarango.com/2024/03/03/how-to-get-out-of-ontlogical-debt/

The Moylan Arrow: IA Lessons for AI-Powered Experiences How traditional structural principles can inform the design of AI-powered products and services.

How traditional structural principles can inform the design of AI-powered products and services.

Two things can be true: the technology is extraordinarily capable /and/ wildly overhyped. Don't believe the hype. Instead, learn what the technology can really do now.

Why Didn’t AI “Join the Workforce” in 2025? - Cal Newport Exactly one year ago, Sam Altman ​made a bold prediction​: “We believe that, in 2025, we may see the first AI agents ‘join the workforce’ ... Read more

I'm with Cal Newport here: “I’m hoping 2026 will be the year we stop caring about what people believe AI might do, and instead start reacting to its real, present capabilities.”

calnewport.com/why-didnt-ai...

My Theme for 2026 Making myself accountable by declaring my focus for the year.

Making myself accountable by declaring my focus for the year.

Happy New Year to you and yours! Here’s to new beginnings.

Check out Ray’s book. It helped me.

Traction Heroes Ep. 26: The Highest Goal Reflections on a book that has helped me align my efforts with my values.

Reflections on a book that has helped me align my efforts with my values.

Humanities Crash Course Week 52: Growing Up Readings about responsibility to self and others at the end of this year-long course.

Readings about responsibility to self and others at the end of this year-long course.

Merry Christmas! I hope yours is filled with love. 🎄

Humanities Crash Course Week 51: Brave New World A classic science fiction novel has me reconsidering how I'm using LLMs for learning and thinking.

A classic science fiction novel has me reconsidering how I'm using LLMs for learning and thinking.

Scaling LLM-Powered Web Content Changes A demonstration of one way to automate LLM-powered operations while keeping a human in the loop.

A demonstration of one way to automate LLM-powered operations while keeping a human in the loop.

Traction Heroes Ep. XX: Having a Vision A reading from a surprising source leads to a discussion about the importance of having a clear vision.

A reading from a surprising source leads to a discussion about the importance of having a clear vision.

YouTube video by Paola Hermosín Probando mi Guitarra NUEVA: la JACINTA tocando muchas piezas musicales | Capítulo 4

Paola Hermosín commissioned a new guitar from a luthier. She documented the process in YouTube. In her lastest video, she plays the guitar (“Jacinta”) for the first time. Hearing her rave about its sound is both entertaining and insightful. youtube.com/watch?v=iB6M...

Humanities Crash Course Week 50: Going Meta Exploring ways of experiencing art — and its effects — by analyzing it at dfferent levels.

Exploring ways of experiencing art — and its effects — by analyzing it at dfferent levels.

Disney making $1 billion investment in OpenAI, will allow characters on Sora AI video generator Disney is investing in OpenAI and has licensed its iconic characters like Mickey Mouse, Ariel and Iron Man to be used in the Sora AI video generator.

Disney’s deal with OpenAI is breaking my mind a little — especially since they’re giving users the ability to generate videos based only their IP. To have been a fly on the wall in the meetings where Disney lawyers hashed out the details!

Is It a Bubble? In his latest memo, Howard Marks explores if there is a bubble in AI, identifying uncertainty, parallels to past bubbles, AI's vast potential, and emphasizing the importance of prudence.

This post by Howard Marks is the wisest, most even-keeled take I've read on the question of whether we're in an AI-fueled speculative bubble. Be sure to stick around for the postscript.

www.oaktreecapital.com/insights/mem...

A demonstration of how to use Perplexity's API to automate AI-powered web searches via the command line. Episode links: • llm: https://github.com/simonw/llm • Perplexity API:… Automating AI Web Search With Perplexity

Yesterday, I shared my latest "Over the Shoulder" video where I walk you through how I'm using LLMs to make a large change to my personal website. This latest entry focuses on saving time by automating web search using the Perplexity API.

youtu.be/Sg-Fyr4BK7A?...

Promotional graphic for IAC26 Poster Night. Text reads “Poster Night – Submissions due December 14, 2025.” Three benefits are highlighted: “Learn from your peers,” “Share Your Expertise,” and “Get a Discount on your ticket!” The Information Architecture Conference logo appears in the lower corner.

Have an information architecture or user-centered design project, case study, or idea to share? Consider submitting your concept to IAC26 for our annual IAC Poster Night.

📥 Submit by December 14, 2025: forms.gle/QpNHGA9pczuB...
🔊 Learn more about Poster Night: www.theiaconference.com/poster-night/

Automating AI Web Search With Perplexity A demonstration of how to use AI to update site content using web search.

A demonstration of how to use AI to update site content using web search.

jarango.com/2025/12/09/a...

Humanities Crash Course Week 49: Modern Times Exploring how theory and art can help us maintain human agency amid dehumanizing systems.

Exploring how theory and art can help us maintain human agency amid dehumanizing systems.

Three Lessons From the Work of Frank Gehry Reflecting on the master architect's legacy and its relevance to current UX.

Reflecting on the master architect's legacy and its relevance to current UX.

Using AI to Extract Structured Data From Markdown A video on how I'm using an LLM to extract metadata from unstructured Markdown files.

A video on how I'm using an LLM to extract metadata from unstructured Markdown files.