AI has evolved rapidly over the past few years, finding its way into enterprise software, consumer chat interfaces, and just about everything in between. Its power is hard to deny. But here’s the thing that’s been nagging at me: has all this progress truly delivered the kind of “solutions” we actually need? Or are we sprinting forward without stopping to ask whether these systems address the deeper, human needs that often sit beneath the surface of any problem?

In this piece, I want to explore the role AI plays in our lives, where it falls short, and why our ability as humans to interpret layered contexts remains irreplaceable. By the end, I hope to leave you with a bigger question: in this age of AI dominance, are we forgetting something fundamental about what it means to be human?

A quick disclaimer before we go further: AI is undeniably reaching levels of intelligence and adaptability that continue to amaze. This article isn’t about denying that progress. It’s about reflecting on the present and what it means for us.

What AI Can’t Solve: The Complexity of Layered Contexts

Let’s start with an example. You’re interacting with an AI chatbot for customer service. You ask, “How do I complete this process?” The AI quickly parses your question, scans its database, and provides you with a link and step-by-step instructions. In seconds, you have a precise, statistically correct answer. Undeniably convenient.

But is that all you wanted?

Businesses hate inefficiency. And in most cases, AI gets deployed to address what looks inefficient on the surface: the time it takes to resolve a ticket, the cost of a human agent, the queue length. But when someone reaches out with a complaint, confusion, or frustration, what they’re really seeking often isn’t just a solution. They want to feel understood. They want their stress and uncertainty acknowledged. This is where AI struggles. It can deliver the “what” but often fails to grasp the “why” behind a person’s request, or the emotional weight it carries.

Here’s the thing that rarely gets said out loud: how often has AI solved something that a human genuinely could not have solved? In customer service, the answer is probably “almost never.” The real value of these interactions was never about the answer itself. It was about the experience of being heard.

A Librarian, A Stranger, and the Human Touch

Think of it this way. Interacting with AI can sometimes feel like asking a librarian where to find a book. The librarian responds: “Third shelf, aisle 7.” Accurate? Absolutely. But compare that to a librarian who says, “Oh, you’re looking for this one? It’s on aisle 7. And if you’re into this genre, here’s another one you might enjoy.”

Here’s an even more personal example. In Japan, when you ask a stranger for directions, it’s not uncommon for them to go out of their way and walk you to the location. This kind of interaction carries something: a sense of care and generosity that goes beyond the pure utility of providing directions. It’s a human touch, one that AI, optimized for efficiency, struggles to replicate.

And honestly, I sometimes catch myself giving purely efficient responses in my own life, skipping the human touch entirely. I can’t help but wonder: is AI nudging all of us toward this kind of behavior?

What Behavioral Science Tells Us

As Daniel Kahneman explains in Thinking, Fast and Slow, humans are not purely rational beings who only seek efficient solutions. We are deeply influenced by emotions, context, and how experiences make us feel. A solution doesn’t just need to be “correct.” It also needs to resonate on a human level. The statistical best answer and the right answer for a person are often two very different things.

The Limits of AI and the Unique Value of Humans

Let me ask you a simple question: have you ever felt a sense of genuine gratitude toward an AI?

Modern AI systems excel at analyzing massive datasets and presenting statistically optimal solutions. But they lack the ability to understand the deeper layers of context and connection. AI can tell you what the best method might be. It struggles to understand why that method might carry special significance for you as an individual.

What Makes Us Different

Humans are exceptional at interpreting layered contexts. We consider not just data but also relationships, emotions, and unspoken nuances. This ability to adapt and respond to individual needs, to interpret the “unsaid,” is what makes human interaction feel meaningful. It’s what gives us that sense of gratitude or appreciation when someone goes out of their way to help us.

I wrote in a previous piece that humans are creatures who value the process, not just the outcome. Here’s what I mean by that: if our entire lives were filled with nothing but joy, would that joy even feel like joy? The hard moments, the confusion, the struggle, those are the things that give the good moments their weight. We cry from sadness so that we can also cry from happiness.

And here’s a thought that I keep coming back to: the act of struggling, of worrying, of not knowing what to do, that might actually be a privilege unique to being human. Why do we worry at all? Maybe it’s because we live within a finite, irreversible stretch of time, with limited energy and limited chances. That constraint is what makes our choices matter. And it’s precisely what AI, unburdened by mortality or fatigue, can never truly share with us.

Two Ways of Solving a Problem

A simple way to think about this difference:

AI’s approach: Data → Statistically Optimal Solution → Response

The human approach: Data → Context Understanding → Emotional Empathy → Personalized Response

The human approach may not always be as fast or efficient. But it often leaves a lasting impression: a sense of being seen and understood.

Redefining Roles in the Age of AI

Let me circle back to the original question. When you reach out to customer service, or any interaction involving AI, what do you really want? Is it simply to have your problem solved with precision and efficiency? Or is it to feel understood and valued as an individual?

There’s no single answer. But as AI continues to take over more aspects of our lives, I think it’s worth reflecting on what we might be losing in the process. Are we forgetting what it means to feel grateful? To experience the warmth of someone going out of their way for us, not because it was efficient, but because it was human?

There will come a day when AI communicates in ways that feel indistinguishable from a person. That moment is probably closer than we think. But even then, the question won’t be “Can AI replicate human communication?” It will be “Does it carry the same weight?”

The Question I Want to Leave You With

In this age of AI, are we at risk of losing gratitude?

Gratitude isn’t just a reaction to a solution. It’s a deeply human emotion that arises when someone takes the time to truly understand and care. It’s when someone invests in you, not because it’s efficient, but because it’s meaningful.

This abstract, deeply human value is something AI can’t replicate, at least not yet. And as we continue to integrate AI into our lives, perhaps the most important question is this: how do we ensure that this sense of gratitude, this deeply human experience, isn’t left behind?

Taishi Okano writes about the intersection of technology, craft, and culture from New York and Tokyo. engawa is where he works things out.

TL;DR: The Screen is the Bottleneck

• The Problem: Current AI is revolutionary, but our interfaces (glass rectangles) are ancient.

• The Argument: Efficiency isn't everything. Humans crave transparency, process, and tactile feedback - things screens often strip away.

• The Future: The real "UX Revolution" will happen when we move beyond pixels and embrace multisensory interfaces like Haptics, BCI, and Environmental AR.

I often find myself deep in conversation with friends about the intersection of AI, interfaces, and human experience. And here's the thing: while AI technology continues to evolve at a breakneck pace, I can't shake the feeling that much of what we're seeing today is just an extension of what already exists….recommendation engines, predictive algorithms, and data-driven suggestions. It's not that these systems aren't impressive. They are. But fundamentally, they still feel tied to the same core: screens.

As we stand in 2026, immersed in a world where AI is becoming more autonomous and adaptive, it's worth asking: has anything truly revolutionary happened to the way we interact with these systems?

Spoiler: not yet. But the real revolution won't come from AI alone. It'll come from how we interface with it, and whether those interfaces can finally transcend the screen.

The Human Element: Why Interfaces Still Matter

Let's start with a simple truth: humans are messy, emotional, and wonderfully imperfect creatures. Despite AI's ability to process enormous amounts of data and adapt to situations dynamically, there's a fundamental disconnect between what AI can do and how we, as humans, want to experience it.

Why? Because we value the process. It's not just about getting to the result. It's about feeling like we're in control, understanding how we got there, and seeing the story behind the outcome. For humans, the journey often matters as much as the destination.

Take the way we interact with today's AI. Recommendation systems, for instance, have gotten scarily good at predicting what we want. Spotify curates a playlist that feels like it was handcrafted for your mood; these systems save us time and energy. But they often leave us wondering, "Why this choice? Why not something else?"

Humans thrive on transparency and trust. We don't just want the best outcome. We want to know why it's the best. And this is where modern AI systems often fall flat. They act like black boxes, spitting out results without letting us peek behind the curtain. This lack of transparency can leave us feeling disconnected, even from systems designed to make our lives easier.

The Problem with Existing Interfaces

Most of today's interactions with AI happen through screens. Whether it's your smartphone, laptop, or smartwatch, the interface hasn't fundamentally changed. Sure, it's become more intuitive! Voice commands, touch gestures, and predictive UX have improved the experience, but the form factor itself remains tethered to the same glass rectangles we've been staring at for decades.

Consider this: AI has certainly made our interactions more efficient. What used to take 100 clicks to achieve might now take just two. When it comes to tedious tasks that humans naturally dislike, this is undeniably a win. But here's the nuance: depending on how you look at it, this efficiency can also breed opacity and distrust. For tasks where the process itself matters. Where understanding the journey is part of the value, so then stripping away those steps might actually diminish the experience rather than enhance it.

This tension raises a critical question: when we design these experiences, we need to define what the user's goal truly is. Is it pure efficiency? Understanding? Control? The answer shapes everything.

As of now, the interfaces define user experiences. Without an interface, there's no UX. And as long as we're stuck with screens as the primary medium, the experiences will remain fundamentally the same. Revolutionary AI? Yeah sure. Revolutionary experiences? Not yet.

Understanding the Trinity: AI, Interface, and UX

To better understand the relationship between AI, interfaces, and UX, here's a simple breakdown:

The Future Lies Beyond Screens

True innovation in user experience will come when we finally move beyond screens. And this isn't some far-off sci-fi dream! There are already glimpses of what's possible. Imagine interfaces that tap into all five senses (or maybe even a future sixth sense). These kinds of breakthroughs are where the real magic of AI and UX will happen. Here are a few directions where interfaces could evolve:

Touch and Haptics

Imagine interacting with digital objects that feel real. Companies like HaptX and Ultraleap are already working on mid-air haptics, where you can "touch" and manipulate objects in virtual space without physical contact. Full-body haptic suits, like Teslasuit, could bring immersive VR experiences to life with realistic sensations.

Voice and Sound

Voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant have laid the groundwork, but the real potential lies in systems that can understand nuance, emotion, and context in our voices. Spatial audio and directed sound technologies could create immersive auditory environments tailored to individual users.

Smell and Taste

These are still in their infancy, but imagine AR experiences enhanced by scent, or digital devices that could simulate taste through electrical stimulation. Experimental devices like VAQSO VR hint at what's possible.

Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI)

This is where things get wild. Companies like Neuralink are working on systems that could bypass traditional interfaces entirely, letting users interact with machines using only their thoughts. It's still experimental, but the potential for brain-controlled interfaces is limitless.

Environmental Interfaces

What if your entire environment became the interface? Smart homes are a step in this direction, but the future could involve furniture, walls, and even clothes that respond to your needs dynamically.

Form Factors: A Comprehensive Look at Interface Types

1. Visual Interfaces

Vision is the most commonly utilized sense, and many interfaces leverage it.

Existing Form Factors:

• Screens: Smartphones, tablets, PCs, TVs, digital signage

• Projection displays: Projectors, holographic displays

• Head-Mounted Displays (HMD): VR goggles (Meta Quest, HTC Vive), AR glasses (Microsoft HoloLens, Magic Leap)

• Wearable displays: Smartwatches, smart rings, smart contact lenses (e.g., Mojo Vision in development)

Future or Research-Stage Form Factors:

• AR contact lenses (overlaying information directly onto vision)

• Direct visual projection technology (e.g., retinal projection)

• Brain-direct visual transmission via BCI (e.g., Neuralink's vision for brain-computer links)

2. Auditory Interfaces

Interfaces that convey information through voice or sound.

Existing Form Factors:

• Speakers and earphones: Voice assistants (Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri)

• Bone conduction devices: AfterShokz, bone conduction headsets

• Auditory AR: Voice guidance systems, spatial audio experiences

Future or Research-Stage Form Factors:

• Direct sound transmission bypassing the eardrum (e.g., BCI-based auditory assistance using brainwaves)

• Ultrasonic voice transmission: Directional sound technology delivering sound waves to specific individuals

3. Tactile Interfaces

Interfaces that convey information through touch or enable tactile interaction.

Existing Form Factors:

• Touchscreens: Smartphones, tablets, ATMs, vending machines

• Vibration feedback (haptics): Game controllers (PS5 DualSense), smartphone vibration notifications

• Haptic gloves: HaptX, Meta's haptic research projects

Future or Research-Stage Form Factors:

• Mid-air haptics: Ultraleap's aerial tactile technology (recreating touch sensations with ultrasound)

• Skin displays: Wearable technology delivering tactile sensations directly to the skin

• Haptic suits: Full-body suits recreating touch and force feedback (e.g., Teslasuit)

4. Olfactory Interfaces

Interfaces that convey information through smell.

**Existing Form Factors:**Currently, interfaces utilizing the sense of smell are virtually non-existent.

Future or Research-Stage Form Factors:

• Digital olfactory devices: Scent-generating devices (e.g., VAQSO VR, digital scent generators)

• Olfactory AR: Technology recreating smells tailored to specific environments

5. Gustatory Interfaces

Interfaces that convey information through taste.

**Existing Form Factors:**Currently almost non-existent, though there are experimental initiatives in food tech.

Future or Research-Stage Form Factors:

• Digital gustatory devices: Technology recreating taste through electrical stimulation (e.g., electric taste spoons)

• Gustatory AR: Technology digitally altering the taste of food

6. Motion and Gesture-Based Interfaces

Interfaces operated through body movements or gestures.

Existing Form Factors:

• Motion sensors: Kinect, Leap Motion

• Wearable devices: Fitness trackers, smartwatches (supporting gesture controls)

Future or Research-Stage Form Factors:

• Mid-air gesture controls: Ultraleap's aerial manipulation technology

• Electromyographic sensors: Technology detecting muscle movements for control (e.g., Myo armband)

7. Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI)

Interfaces that operate by directly capturing brainwaves.

Existing Form Factors:

• EEG headsets: Emotiv, Neurable

Future or Research-Stage Form Factors:

• Implantable BCIs: Brain-implantable devices in development by Neuralink

• Non-invasive BCIs: Technology that reads brainwaves simply by attaching to the scalp

8. Biometric Data Interfaces

Interfaces utilizing biosignals like heart rate and skin temperature.

Existing Form Factors:

• Wearable devices: Apple Watch, Fitbit, Oura Ring

• Health monitoring devices: Medical sensors, vital monitoring

Future or Research-Stage Form Factors:

• Skin sensors: Technology that acquires data by attaching to the skin

• Implantable sensors: Real-time data acquisition through devices implanted in the body

9. Environment-as-Interface

Technology where the entire environment functions as an interface.

Existing Form Factors:

• Smart homes: Amazon Echo, Google Nest

• Interactive environment displays: Projection mapping, interactive tables

Future or Research-Stage Form Factors:

• Smart furniture: Furniture and everyday objects functioning as interfaces

• Environmental AR: Technology providing information by integrating AR into real-world environments

10. Other Future Interfaces

• DNA computing: Interfaces utilizing human DNA for information processing

• Quantum interfaces: Technology directly connecting quantum computers with humans (theoretical stage)

Reimagining User Experience

At its core, the shift from screen-based interfaces to multisensory, immersive ones is about unlocking new dimensions of human experience. It's not just about efficiency or convenience. It's about creating experiences that feel natural, intuitive, and deeply human.

But here's the catch: even as interfaces evolve, we still need to design with human values at the center. Safety, trust, and transparency will remain critical, especially as AI becomes more autonomous. Users need to feel like they're in control, even when the system is doing most of the work. They need to understand the why behind every decision.

This is where I think the role of designers and UX thinkers remains essential at least for now. Designers aren't just building interfaces; they're building bridges between humans and machines. And as interfaces become more advanced, these bridges will need to become more intuitive, more empathetic, and more aligned with human nature.

Closing Thoughts

I've covered a lot of ground here, but let me be clear: this isn't an academic treatise. These are simply my thoughts, my observations as someone fascinated by this intersection of technology and humanity.

Here's something worth pondering: no matter how brilliant AI becomes, no matter how much data it processes, how dynamically it adapts, or how many insights it generates that humans could never reach on their own, there's an argument that the "answer" already exists. What do I mean by that? The answer we perceive is limited to what we, as humans, can interpret through our existing knowledge and solutions. We can only recognize answers that fit within our current framework of understanding.

As we move forward and these new interfaces transition from prototypes to practical, everyday tools, I'm genuinely curious about how the relationship between AI and humans will evolve. Will we adapt to think in entirely new ways? Or will certain fundamental aspects of our humanity remain unchanged?

I'm a typical imperfect human being, and I find particular value in imperfection and in things that occur naturally. That's what makes us human, I believe. How this sense of value, this appreciation for imperfection, will change or perhaps remain constant is something that fascinates me personally.

If you have thoughts on this, I'd love to hear them. Feel free to leave a comment!

Why This Matters

We live in an extraordinary time. AI is reshaping industries, redefining possibilities, and challenging our understanding of what technology can do. But despite all this progress, the way we experience AI still feels... familiar. Why? Because the interface hasn't caught up.

The real breakthroughs will come when we stop thinking of AI as something that lives inside our screens and start imagining it as something that exists all around us.

Until then, we'll keep debating, experimenting, and dreaming. And maybe, one day we'll look back at this moment as the tipping point, the time when we finally began to see that the future of AI isn't about the technology itself. It's about the experiences it enables, and the interfaces that make those experiences possible.

Taishi Okano writes about the intersection of technology, craft, and culture from New York and Tokyo. engawa is where he works things out.