Guideline 1: Make clear what the system can do

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1Initially

Make clear what the system can do

Help the user understand what the AI system is capable of doing.

Help the user understand what the AI system is capable of doing.

Set expectations about what the AI system is designed for. Many user-facing AI systems can support multiple tasks in multiple domains. Unclear user expectations about the set of supported tasks or domains can lead to disappointment, product abandonment, and even harms. For example, a fitness tracker that can tracks steps for walking and running may not be able to track cycling (a domain mismatch) or sleep quality (a task mismatch).  

Guideline 1 design patterns offer several techniques you can mix and match to set user expectations:

Patterns

Submit a pattern
Guideline 1 > Pattern 1A

Pattern 1A: Introductory blurb
Guideline 1 > Pattern 1B

Pattern 1B: Use explanation (G11) patterns
Guideline 1 > Pattern 1C

Pattern 1C: Expose system controls
Guideline 1 > Pattern 1D

Pattern 1D: Demonstrate possible system inputs
Guideline 1 > Pattern 1E

Pattern 1E: Show a set of system outputs

Examples

Submit an example
Guideline 1 > Pattern 1A > Example

Copilot in PowerPoint | 1A: Introductory blurb

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Guideline 1 > Pattern 1A > Example

Copilot in Word | 1A: Introductory blurb

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Guideline 1 > Pattern 1D > Example

M365 Chat | 1D: Make clear what the system can do

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Guideline 1 > Example

Notion | G1: Make clear what the system can do

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Guideline 1 > Pattern 1D > Example

Copilot in PowerPoint | 1D: Demonstrate possible system inputs

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Guideline 1 > Pattern 1D > Example

Business Chat | 1D: Demonstrate possible system inputs

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Guideline 1 > Example

Business Chat | G1: Make clear what the system can do

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Guideline 1 > Example

Copilot in Excel | G1: Make clear what the system can do

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Guideline 1 > Pattern 1C > Example

Copilot in PowerPoint | 1C: Expose system controls

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Guideline 1 > Pattern 1B > Example

Viva Learning | 1B: Use explanation (G11) patterns

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Guideline 1 > Pattern 1C > Example

Viva Topics | 1C: Expose system controls

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Guideline 1 > Pattern 1C > Example

Viva Topics | 1C: Expose system controls

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