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Atlassian's CDO on designing AI products that users trust

Coen or Sander Season 3 Episode 11

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0:00 | 21:44

Charlie Sutton, Chief Design Officer at Atlassian, discusses the evolving role of design in the AI era. From managing non-deterministic experiences to controlling token costs, he shares insights on how Atlassian approaches AI product design with intention and structure.

Sutton explains why good AI design isn't about maximizing outputs but achieving meaningful outcomes. He reveals how Atlassian uses the teamwork graph, structured data, and design tokens to keep AI costs in check while maintaining quality. The conversation explores the tension between deterministic control and generative possibilities, and how context-rich work environments offer advantages over consumer applications.

Key takeaways:
• Why companies need chief design officers in the AI age
• How AI is changing both the tools and materials of design
• The importance of user agency over direct control in non-deterministic systems
• Strategies for managing AI token costs through structured data
• Design principles Atlassian applies to AI products
• Moving from AI experimentation to value-driven adoption
• Balancing the familiar with the novel in product experiences
• Why AI will become assumed, just like the internet

Chapters:
0:14 - What is a chief design officer?
2:34 - How AI is transforming design work
3:08 - Balancing control in AI-powered experiences
6:16 - Using the Teamwork Graph in design
8:27 - Managing AI token costs effectively
11:39 - Moving beyond the experimentation phase
13:48 - Principles for AI product design
19:18 - Balancing the familiar with the novel