University of Michigan Library
Developing an AI alternative to keyword searching
Problem
Novice researchers often struggle to translate their research topics into precise keywords to use in traditional search tools, creating a barrier to discovering relevant materials. With 72% of students already using AI for coursework, we needed to determine if a conversational interface could bridge this gap by helping users access relevant resources more intuitively.
Outcome
I led the end-to-end UX design and usability testing of a prototype, which directly influenced senior leadership’s decision to fund full product development. The project team is currently overseeing the transition from proof-of-concept to a public beta.
Team
Product Designer (me!)
UX Researcher
Product Owner
Project Manager
Software Developer
